The God of Ordinary People
July 18, 2009 by Douglas
I’m not a theologian, nor a hapless sheep, and I’m certainly not a model Christian. In fact, I’m probably more of a model sinner – much in need of God’s grace on a daily, if not moment-by-moment basis. I’m okay with this.
I find it interesting and at the same time disturbing that in our culture we seem to have concluded that God chooses to only use spiritual giants; the high gifted, multi-talented, richly diverse, faith-filled people of this world and not the spiritual pygmies. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fact, God has a well-documented history of working through the broken vessels of this world, “the scalawags and ragamuffins” as Brennan Manning puts it, or as a friend in Ireland says, “the cracked pots.” He has used questionable characters that are of little social standing, ill tempered, liars, adulterers, and murderers to accomplish His good purposes – and He continues to do so to this day.
We find it far more pleasant to be known for and seen for our strengths, and not for our weaknesses. But in His infinite wisdom, God chooses to use ordinary people like you and me, imperfect ambassadors of the gospel that we are, to reach out in faith with compassion filled hearts to those just like us, those that are as equally as needy and wanting, only in different ways. That’s how this extraordinary God is revealed and encountered in the peaks and valleys of everyday circumstances and the ordinariness of life.
Thanks man. This is good. I always think that to “make my mark” I need to do some great thing, and become (eventually, hopefully?) some great person. I’m not there yet and rarely do anything more grand than wash the dishes for my wife or love on my kids. I suspect (going along with what you’re saying) that the really great things are the small things I devalue completely to insignificance. God give me eyes to see things for what they really are and rest there.
This so resonates with me. I would go one step further. Not only do we seem to think that God only uses the spiritual “giants,” not us common sinners…but we also have a tendency to think and elevate the offerings of authors & artists and those with a really “special” gift. We overlook the everyday activities that God is reflected in. Kudos to the artists of the world…and the mom who walks the neighbours’ kid home from school to help her out…and the guy who volunteers to help disabled kids ski…and the kid who picks up garbage on the playground so others can enjoy it…all out of a heart of love. Let’s celebrate how God made us & recognize that He loves us and can use us just as we are.
Dear Douglas,
I really appreciate your talk in Kyiv which I attended with my other friends. I am amazed at the level of your language abilities, thought provoking ideas and honest struggles with the daily life issue! Sir, keep on growing in love, life, in soul! and keep creating! – You can do it, and when you fail – God can do it!
Thanks again.
Olga
heya doug
thanks for posting this…I hope you don’t mind (I’m sure you won’t) but I’m going to read a bit of it out today in Lucan Presbyterian as it fits in perfect with the sermon.
Doug,
thanks for reminding me to keep it real. As Chuck Swindoll puts it, always leave room for the imperfect in yourself and others.
Good words, Doug. I’m thankful he uses gypsies, tramps and thieves…
Grace,
John
I’ll add my appreciation, Douglas. Yesterday a conversation wandered into honest moments about weakness and hope and the mercy / grace of the crucified One. We agreed that when I stand in need, there is some openness to learn and to engage God and others. It’s the successes that close my heart with pride.
Josiah
“In fact, I’m probably more of a model sinner – much in need of God’s grace on a daily, if not moment-by-moment basis. I’m okay with this.” — awesome statement that I feel deep inside every single day.
I like this we are all broken and were all being used to accomplish His will.
So true. I watched a DVD recently on the art of Caravaggio who painted biblical scenes in churches around 1600. He was a radical in that his art depicted the “saints” and others as “scalawags and ragamuffins” in biblical scenes. He appealed to people where they were at and showed a Christ that wasn’t afraid of getting dirty. That’s the Jesus I read about in the Bible. Evidentally his work caused an upsurge in church attendance among the poor, because, for the first time the poor could see a Christ that related to people like them.