Ordinary People

Jesus chose ordinary people as His disciples to work with Him.  I believe He does the same today.

Acts 3.1-10

Reference: v. 4 Peterlooked straight at him, as did John.  Then Peter said, "Look at us!"

Explore:  I am a very ordinary person.  On the outside I certainly look ordinary (less-than-ordinary most days!) as I'm not the certainly person who would get a double-take when they're walking down the street.  As far as skills I also rate on the ordinary scale.  I was aware of this from a very early age with two older sisters!  My eldest sister is a fantastic performer, my second-eldest is an awesome singer.  Me?  I could act a bit and can hold a tune on a good day but nothing outstanding like my sisters.  I often feel like a 'jack of all trades, master of none'.

I can sometimes put myself down, thinking that I'm never going to be great at anything but it's all just unproductive self-loathing.  If I looked in most places in the Bible I see that God uses the most ordinary people to serve Him and do great things for Him.  Moses: a stuttering murderer who needed to be persuaded to do as God said even when he heard God's voice.  David: the youngest of the family and a mere sheep herder.  And then we come to the disciples.  Peter and John are walking past a beggar on the way to the temple and they don't even stand out to the least of those in the society.  It seems that Peter has to yell to get the beggar's attention.  But God is able to do amazing things through these disciples, with the beggar and many others.

Application:  We all have days when we feel ordinary.  Let's face it, there will always be someone else who is cooler, richer, more popular, more effective etc.  But that doesn't mean that God doesn't rate us.  God wants every single person.  He doesn't need our money or our skill or our talents.  He just wants us.  If we can serve God with who we are and give Him all we have regardless of their limits, then He will use us in mighty ways.

Prayer:  Lord, your grace is outstanding and unfathomable.  Thank you for loving this simple, ordinary human.  Amen.

Acts