From Ordinary to Extraordinary

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up..." 1 Thessalonians 5:11

So no one asked but I'm going to share anyway, the story that I "coincidentally" read twice within a 12 hour period (once in my bible study and again in a book my husband left for me...see previous post).

It was the story of the evangelist Dwight L. Moody; an ordinary, unordained shoe salesman who felt God's call to share the gospel.  Mr. Moody was moved to respond to God's calling after hearing Henry Varley, a British revivalist, say, "The world has yet to see what God will do with a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him."

The point my bible study makes is that God can use anyone to accomplish His work, as long as they dedicate themselves to Him.  The thought of our extraordinary God using ordinary people excites me to no end because I want God to use me...pick me!  God has done such a work in me - first in my salvation and second in giving me hope after Alysa died - that I owe Him all I have and more.  I get so excited about the thought of serving Him...almost, to a fault.

You see, and this is SO hard to admit, I want God to use me.  I almost get envious when others go before me in His service.  Ugly, I know!  On so many levels!!  I don't like sharing this, but before I knew it, my hand was reaching for pen and paper to write, so, here it is...

I realized that I am just as bad as my kids - no, worse, because I know better - about fighting for His attention.  I praise God that so many times, He uses the relationship with my kids to each me more about Him.  Rather than begging for God's attention, it is just as I tell my own children, "I love each of you.  There is plenty of room for each of you to walk by my side."

Lord, forgive me of my selfishness.  Help me to come along side of my sisters and brothers in Christ and encourage them to seek You and Your service wholeheartedly.  Thank you for using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.