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 is our

weaknesses and failures.

I have been in that same boat. 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, one night I prayed a

short but heartfelt prayer, and my life changed.

When the Lord spoke to me about Praying Wives And Mothers,

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 fictional like other stories we

read to our children, it is real! I believe it 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. Then, suddenly Gabriel the angel

appears. Wow, what a day that must have been for her! In Luke 1:34

Mary 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 goes

on to tell her in verse 37 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. She knew this was going to take place and that her whole life

was about to change, and she didn’t even try to refuse or argue with

the angel. Perhaps this is 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. When I think of Mary, I wonder what it would have

been like if that had been me? I would have been, to say the least, a

little freaked out! We are told in verse 38 that Mary then begins 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, Elizabeth, who is also

pregnant with John the Baptist. Elizabeth said 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.” Verses 48-49 tell us Mary

then praises God for what is to come, and she rejoices in Him for

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 main purpose is to love and worship Him above all

other things, but 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. God has the best title

for you, and that is you’re His daughter! We read that nothing is

impossible to God. Since He planted Jesus in her womb, He can do

anything. Also, don’t get caught up in the thinking that I did, “I’m

no one special, God can’t use me.” I am, by society standards, no one

truly exciting or special, but in Gods 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.

This is not to say we are all like Mary. 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. God blessed

her, and through her the world had a Savior. Whatever Gods 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 or insecurity there

will be people affected by our turning away. We’re in effect saying no

to the people God had in mind for us to show Christ’s love too. 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. He used an ordinary woman by the world’s

standards, but highly extraordinary in God’s eyes. Think about

yourself 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!

What About You?

1. In what ways might God want to use you for His purpose?

Or do you believe He has purpose for other people and not

you?

2. How does it encourage you to know that God works through

us even in our fear and weaknesses?