Contemplating the significance of life…
Well known 19th century American philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote many things about the human experience. One rolls off of my lips often, because it seems to summarize his philosophy regarding life most succinctly. By now, many of you know what it is. Thoreau stated: The masses of humanity live lives of quiet desperation.
While there is no shortage of desperation in our world, with certain people groups having more than their share and others seeming to have less, it appears that on the whole our lives consist more of just regular, ordinary sorts of things which are necessary for daily existence. While many search for the one idea, cause or purpose which gives these simple things meaning, most of our days are filled with the regular rather than the regal.
So, we ask if it is possible for the mundane become a marvel and a wonder? Is it possible for the ordinary to take on extraordinary significance? I suggest that it is. In fact, I lean more towards the position of insisting that ordinary lives, when lived for God, is the sole requirement for living in such a way that the simple becomes sublime—the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
A couple of passages seem to highlight this idea:
1) Matthew 5:13-16, “13You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
2) Colossians 3:23-24, “23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
From Ordinary to Extraordinary…
This point is powerfully illustrated in the life of one of our sisters-in-Christ. Recently, she shared a few details about her life with me in order that I might share them with you. Her life story is an illustration of how God uses “ordinary things” to achieve extraordinary results.
Here is an excerpt from the email she sent on October 31, 2005:
Good Morning Bill,
Well I was born and raised in a christian family. My Grand parents were christians and so are my parents. The Church Minister of the Church of christ back home constantly reminded and asked me when I would get baptised every week he visited. I finally agreed cause I didn’t wanted him to ask me anymore and also I was well aware that its only through baptism I receive the Holy Spirit.
I did not get baptised with this urge inside to become Gods Child and to be like Jesus. I was as before after my baptism. Sunday christian, no difference in my behaviour (as there was not much besides school,church and home) etc. When my kid brother was asked by my parents to think abt Baptism 1.5 yrs after I got,he asked one thing which first me think abt being a CHRISTIAN in a deeper sense and it was ” tell me how better Suma got after baptism”. he repeatedly asked whomever asked him to get baptised.He asked this cos I was no better handling the situations when my brothers and I fought.I fought, gave bad names, angry for days…typical sibling rivalry.
And then during my Bachelors my mom got sick with her Kidney problems and Dad went almost bankrupt by trusting a friend and lending him huge money. I observed how God worked wonders in a span of 4 years helping us have a consistent health to mom (problem in her kidneys didn’t deteriorate) and Dad .The church, my parents prayed for the problem and witnessed God bringing betterment in the situations. The church had been incredibly supportive.
After I came to USA, I met people from church who are so kind and loving.When I prayed in times of need , God helped me. All these remind me to be thankful and prayerful to God not only in times of need or Sundays but ALWAYS. Being with Dagnans and Cedars, I see how people are warmly and affectionately welcomed for just one reason that we are all brothers and sisters in HIM. It helps me be kind and helpful too.
So like any other chirstian, mine is a regular story. I am constantly trying to develop the nature to accept any situation good or bad (Esp. bad) as God’s Plan for me and pray for His help to face it.I still see God helping Mom with her health and rest of my family each day. I also see how God helps me when I pray for any
situation at work.Thanks for the prayers for my Mom. Pray for me and others
who need help with spiritual growth.In His Love,
Suma
Extraordinary results from ordinary circumstances…
Suma’s only hesitancy in permitting me to share this was a concern that the emphasis would be on a person rather than God. It is clear, however, that the ordinary became extraordinary, because God was active in Suma’s life through these circumstances. Because God is the focus of her life, God is glorified through her life.
Here are some “ordinary” circumstances in one person’s life which seem to ended in extraordinary results:
1) Raised in a Christian family
2) Encouraged by caring Christians
3) Instructed in the way of the Lord
4) Willing to put on Christ in baptism
5) Aware of her influence on others
6) Found God to be faithful
7) Walking by faith and not by sight
What sublime things is God doing through your life? How is God shaping you in such a way that extraordinary results are coming about through the ordinary events of your daily life?
How is this possible?
It all hinges around whether or not we are:
1) Salting our portion of the earth;
2) Letting our lights shine before others; and,
3) Working with all our hearts for the Lord!
© Bill Williams
November 6, 2005
