Ordinary People = Extraordinary Things

How many of us have thought to ourselves “How could God ever use me?” Sometimes when we look at ourselves all we see are our weaknesses and failures.

I have been in that same boat. I guess I truly believed I was no one special. I have no college degrees, I don’t work outside the home, and I don’t really have any specialized skills. Then the night I prayed a short, but heartfelt prayer my life changed.

When the Lord spoke to me about this group, I immediately obeyed but was not sure how it would all fit together. The Lord though has been faithful to me, and I believe His blessing is upon each one of us as His children.

At Christmas time my family always reads the birth story of Christ. I love the story because it’s not a fictional story like we read to our children, it is real! I believe that story should be read often so we don’t ever forget what Christmas all is about.

The story of our Savior being conceived and brought into this world is found in Luke 1& 2. Picture a woman named Mary loving God, and just being a woman. Someone who is engaged to be married and thinking of all the plans to be made for her wedding and starting their lives together, and wham!! Here comes Gabriel the angel. Wow, what a day that must have been for her!!! In Luke 1:34 Mary herself asks the angel “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” The angel’s response was simple “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.”

He then tells her in verse 37 of the same chapter that “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Mary then responded “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.”

Wow, what an incredible woman. To know that this was going to take place and that her whole life was going to change. She didn’t even try to refuse or argue with the angel – now we know why she was the chosen one to do this.

Mary was the chosen one to give birth to our Savior, and what a miracle it all is. I think of Mary, and then consider what if that would have been me? I would have been, to say the least, a little freaked out!!

Mary then begins in verse 38 to accept the will of God in her life and receives what He has just told her. She then goes to her cousin’s house who is also pregnant with John the Baptist, and her cousin Elisabeth says in verse 45 “And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.” Mary then praises God for what is to come, she is rejoicing in vs. 48- 49 for Him choosing her.

Now we will never compare to what Mary did. The Messiah already has been born, crucified, and rose again. However, we can do great things for God.

Each of us has been created for God’s purpose and plan. Our primary purpose is to love and worship Him above all other things, but then it doesn’t stop there. He wants us to go out and fulfill the mission He has predestined for each of us.

Don’t let society tell you that you are not worthy because you don’t have a bunch of titles behind your name, because God has the best title for you, and that is you’re His daughter! In verse 37 we read that nothing is impossible to God. Since He planted Jesus in her womb, then He can do anything.

Also, don’t get caught up the thinking that I did, “That I’m no one special, God can’t use me”. I am by society's standards no one truly exciting or special, but in God's eyes I’ am special and very much loved, just like each of you. We are not here by accident or mistake.

The Lord has taught me many things through being involved in this ministry. He has taught me that even when we think we have no special skills that is when He pulls everything out of us, He created to be used for His Glory. Something we never knew existed, something that maybe we never wanted to do, but now we find out that we love it and can’t imagine ever doing anything else.

I’m not saying we are all “Mary’s”; her job was the greatest there was. I look at her and think what a remarkable woman. She trusted the Lord, even when she didn’t really understand how, and He blessed her, and through her, the world had a Savior. Whatever God calls you to do, it will bless others, and believe me when I say that you will also be blessed. What if Mary denied what God told her, naturally He could have done it if He wanted, but what if she fought Him? The same is true of us; whatever God wants us to do is important.

If we deny it or walk away from it because of fear, insecurity, etc., there will be people affected by our turning away. Were in effect saying “No” to those people God had in mind for us to show Christ’s love to.

The job God has in mind for each of us is designed in such a perfect way for us and that is why He has chosen us to do it.

So, this Christmas if you read this story be reminded of what a miracle God performed, and how he used an ordinary woman by the world’s standards, but highly extraordinary in God's eyes. Think to yourselves and know He loves you as much as He loved Mary and He wants to use you. Remember when you’re in His hands there’s nothing to be afraid of – only excited about!!!