“It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God but we do not” – Oswald Chambers “My Utmost For His Highest”
In moments like these, where I feel untethered, this devotional from Chambers has been a returned prayer to me throughout my life. His writing has a way of bringing me back to center. I can think of no other writing outside of the Bible, that has had such impact on generations of believers. His writing is pretty ordinary, but this is what makes God’s voice so present within it.
The heart of the faith is often lost in our pushes for more, lost in our questions and daily avalanches. Churches are not immune to this either. We want growth so much, that we make it the measurement of success, which it definitely is not. In this, we many times communicate in a way that wrongly disciples in the need to do grand things for the sake of Jesus. Yet make no mistake, following Christ is always a reaction not a work. Meaning, we act only out of His action that already fulfills, satisfies, and demolishes any need or qualification.
So, for us, the grand act is found in the ordinary daily obedience. It is the 9 to 5, the changed diaper, the late night text that brings Him glory. Never question your place and purpose in the ordinary. His works are great, no matter where or when. It is not a matter of moving to foreign lands or bringing masses to church or faith. The need for more is always a twisted call from the enemy. The truth might just be, that there is no “ordinary” with God. Perhaps it is all extraordinary. Every moment. Every whisper. Every yawned morning and late night, all belong to a King who brings the spiritual into our natural.
Will you do extraordinary things? With Him, you already have. Take heart saint, He has, is, and will use you for a deeper purpose than your eyes will every fully recognize. Embrace the ordinary. This is where He already is.
Matt simon blog 