I learned some disturbing information over the course of the last day. We had small group tonight and one of the questions was “In which way have you seen God work in extraordinary ways through ordinary people?” My was “I don’t think I do, and here is why….”
Once someone has done something cool, remarkable or admirable, I think of them as an extraordinary person. I put them on a pedestal, which means I give them the glory instead of God. I am still trying to think of a person I honestly think is ordinary that God is working in extraordinary ways through. I am pretty sure I am really confused in this area, and I admire the people instead of their God.
It is “Wow, isn’t it amazing that they can follow God like that?!” “They are so smart!” “He is an amazing leader!!” “She has such an amazing relationship with God.” “She was so sacrificial.” “They lived their whole life for that!” “He is so wise.”
Instead of:
“Wow, isn’t it amazing how God chooses to lead us so intimately?” “Look at how God has gifted him!” “It is so amazing how God works through those who chose to follow Him.” “Did you hear about what God is doing in Mexico?” “Isn’t it amazing how when we think we are sacrificing, our relationship with God becomes so much more personal and we become way wealthier than we were?”
I included in my answer that I end up being intimidated by these people also, so I do not build a relationship with them. I am getting much better at this, but it is always a relationship that I view as mentor/mentee. I cannot fathom just being friends with them!
The only people that I might view as ordinary that I see God work through are people that I know personally before I see God work through them. If I don’t see what they do before I see them, there is hope I give God the glory. I seriously need to start worshiping God!!!
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. – I Corinthians 3:5-8
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