...other meditations

from the ordinary to the extraordinary

following Christ's example is not a very easy road. it is often difficult to do the simplest, most ordinary things. our frustrations over these ordinary tasks frequently show in our faces and attitudes. God sees it and others see it as well. sometimes we grumble because we're tired and we had a long, hard day. other times we complain because we want to do something that would, wrongly, take priority over God's will. and then there are those times when we belly ache because we don't feel that the service we are doing to our Lord is important enough.

all i know is that scripture says, quite often, that all things work together. every detail, every movement, every decision and every action, when following Christ and seeking His will, work together for His greater purpose. please read the following scripture passage. meditate and reflect on it and allow God to speak to your heart.

the end of all things is near. therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's Grace in its various forms. if anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very Words of God. if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. to Him be the Glory and the power for ever and ever. amen.
1 peter 4:7-11

there were many ordinary people throughout the bible who did extraordinary things to the service of God and others. for instance, moses was a humble man who made no claims to be a leader. although he had a speech impediment, God used him to speak boldly to pharaoh and to lead God's people out of bondage to the promised land. ruth was a young woman who showed tremendous love for her mother-in-law, naomi. after both women were widowed, naomi decided to return home to bethlehem to live the rest of her days. ruth followed after naomi, leaving her own family and gods behind. ruth chose to show her loyalty to a mother-in-law by embracing naomi's own hometown, family and her god--God the Father. by doing this, a sadness that had weighed heavy on naomi's heart was lifted.

we don't often see the results or know the outcome of those ordinary things we do. however, we can trust that our devotion and loyalty to God and to one another will reap amazing fruit. let us not delay in doing the ordinary things God calls us to do. if we do, we'll only delay God's work and His joy that He has for us. if we delay doing service to God and to others, we delay our own transformation of becoming the extraordinary person He wants us to be. and sadly, we will also delay the Glory that He alone deserves. to God be the Glory!

extraordinary blessings to you,

tamara