I have been reminded of this in my time with Him this week, as I have been praying for others and asking why. Sometimes the why just isn't answerable, which is difficult for we mere mortals to accept. We want to see the big picture, to have all the answers, but they just don't always come to us. I believe that is what true faith is, hanging on even when the answers seem inconceivable or incomprehensible. As Hebrews 11:1-3 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible." Those things we hope for should not be earthly things, but heavenly qualities, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, and godliness. These are the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that we hope for, not because we hope without knowing if we can have these qualities, but with the assured hope that salvation through Christ offers. He is our certain hope, and His promises are sure to come to pass.
But God often chooses the unlikely people and unlikely ways to get His work accomplished. He chose the lowly, throughout the Bible to accomplish great tasks, people like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, David, Esther, Rahab, Ruth, and Mary. These were not great leaders, but humble, faithful people who chose to be obedient and to see God work in their lives, sometimes in simple ways, sometimes in miraculous ways. It was through their obedience, humility, and faith that God brought about His purposes.
So what extraordinary ordinary occurrences have I experienced?
First and foremost, salvation through Christ's shed blood at the cross. I am a sinner, big time, yet He chose me. He forgave me and still forgives me everyday and loves me in spite of who I really am. That thought alone will bring me to my knees.
Second, loving, Christian parents and family, who were faithful to teach me about God's love and His redemption through Christ. My parents took me to church every week, bought me my own Bible, and taught me the lessons of the Bible.
Third, a mother, who, when she lost her husband, raised four children faithfully before the Lord, sacrificing her own happiness for ours.
Many times, grace and healing of me and my loved ones, from the time I was hit by a car on the Anthony Wayne Trail at age 8 to the healings my mother has experienced.
Meeting my husband, who has been such a blessing in my life. An ordinary story, but an extraordinary outcome.
My career, for which I know I have been called. Teaching gives me the opportunity to touch the lives of children, some who need Christ.
My sons, Jonathan and Christian, who were blessings to me from the moment of conception. God continues to work in their lives, blessing them with opportunity and success.
There are so many ways that I see His hand, in the sunrises and sunsets, in the gorgeous Italian fields, abundant with crops, all around me; in dear friends who share my joys and sorrows; in my brother and sisters and their children in America; when I go home, the natural beauty of America, and in her people who are so diverse. I see God in the people I meet, and I know He loves them. My prayer is that I can be His reflection to those around me, that He will curb my sharp tongue and convict my judgmental heart, that He will soften me and mold me to be more like Him. I want to continue to see Him in the ordinary, extraordinary people and events of my life.
My challenge to you.....find Him, not in the huge, miraculous ways the world looks for Him, but find Him in the ordinary, humble ways that He has always shown Himself, and rejoice in your blessings.
