God uses the small things to do His great work…
Yeah, yeah, we’ve all heard it. The sermons, the songs, the podcasts, the books. But even after hearing something so many times that it’s drilled into our brains, do we actually apply it?
Small, ordinary things. AKA: you and me. Oh wait. No, not actually me, right? I mean, I’m a 21st century, ordinary American girl. God has His pick of a world full of folks. There are famous people, or rich people, or popular people that He could use with so much more effectiveness. Honestly, it doesn’t have to be the good extremes either! I feel like a felon, convicted and converted to Christ has a better story than me. I wasn’t rescued from witchcraft, or born in poverty. God is very important in my life, but I can’t say He saved me from alcohol or drug dependence. I could try, um, “The Lord, He saved me from a potential chocolate milk addiction at the age of 5…”
Somehow I don’t think that works.
So yes. You and I know God uses the small and the unexpected to do His work. But do you realize that you are the small and unexpected? No shaming here, just reality. Most of us aren’t hugely influential in the world’s eyes. If you are, kudos. (Also, I’m sorry. That’s probably annoying.)
Let’s think of some examples in the Bible. Skip past the first people who come to mind – the big and obvious ones. Moses was raised a prince, yep. David was a renowned warrior before he was king. Paul was a highly trained Pharisee. Abraham was a wealthy and prominent man. We don’t know about Elijah, but he seems like he had the personality to get by with just about anything. Same bonus goes for the apostle Peter. But most people don’t have that trait.
What about Gideon? He was a farmer’s son, and a youngest son at that. He wasn’t a leader. He was scared. He doubted. He tested God to make sure He would follow through even after speaking with Jesus face to face. He was a bit of a scaredy cat. (Honestly, though, he had some audacity to keep demanding signs from the Lord.) But God still used him. We all know the amazing things that were accomplished through this every day, ordinary man after he submitted himself to God’s will.
In 1 Kings 17:9 we meet a woman. We don’t even know her name. She is known in the Bible as a ‘widow woman’. An ordinary girl who grew up an ordinary housewife, who, sadly, became an ordinary widow in Israel. And yet somehow, when she gave up her will to God, even to sacrificing the last of her food at a Prophet’s request, this ordinary woman was the focal point of a story that has been read and reread for millennia.
Matthew 9 and 15 talk of two more unnamed people, normal men and women whose stories of simple faith and trust in Jesus were recorded for eternal impact on countless people since.
However, its Christmas season, and I’ve been thinking about someone else. Somebody who didn’t ask for anything special. But her simple obedience to God delivered hope and promise to every person in history.
Mary was a common teenager; not special, not rich, not particularly educated, not necessarily pretty – just a normal, run-of-the-mill Jewish girl. Even a common name - she probably knew a dozen other Marys'. The only thing we really know about Mary is her heart towards God. The mighty angel Gabriel showed up to this young woman somewhere in the dusty township of Nazareth and, after scaring her headdress off, assured her that she had found favor with God!
You know, in the moment I bet Mary didn’t question that statement too much. She was talking to an angel of the Most High – a slightly distracting factor for most people. But after Gabriel had gone, perhaps while she lay in bed not sleeping that night, she remembered that part of the angel’s message and wondered.
Favor with God? Mary hadn’t attended Torah studies – though her brothers had. Mary wasn’t a Pharisee’s daughter, exposed daily to the Holy Scriptures and listening as her father studied the law. Mary wasn’t a disciple of a prophet of God – there had been no messenger of the Lord for 400 years.
Favor with God. With a mind focused on the Lord, a mouth singing praise and a heart willing to serve, Mary was chosen to be the bearer of the greatest gift to mankind. She didn’t question or doubt in her heart. She didn’t defer the job to a ‘better qualified’ person. She didn’t tell God that the Messiah would have a more impressive ‘rags to riches’ story if He was born to a former prostitute and raised by a drunkard. Mary simply believed, submitted and obeyed. And God took her ‘ordinary’, and put His ‘extra’ at the beginning.
God hasn’t asked you to bear His Son. (Well actually, in a way…) He hasn’t asked you to get up and lead an army. But remember the Sunday School class that needs a teacher? That person who needs a prayer warrior? The mission trip that needs volunteers and the city that needs evangelism? God doesn’t need a person who’s gone through seminary. He isn’t looking for somebody younger and more energetic or older with more wisdom. He doesn’t want a person with an impressive back-story. He wants you. He wants your ordinary.
And all you have to do is believe, submit and obey.
Add comment
Comments
Ouch...convicted. Wise insights, dear ordinary, run-of-the-mill daughter...who is worth a thousand gems! ✨️
Wow! I’m inspired!
Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration ❤️ Your ordinary is touching other's ordinary and an extraordinary God has a beauty for it all.