Today’s Daily Bread ~ Extraordinary

Psalm 63:2-4 – I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory.  Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself, how I praise You!  I will honor You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer.

Today I had one of those rare mornings where, when my alarm went off at five o’clock, my eyes popped open and I sprang out of bed filled with eagerness and excitement for the day.

I woke up thinking about God, and how much He’s done in my life the past few days.  I tiptoed down the stairs, fed the dog, poured my coffee, and stepped outside to wait while Jim (yes, that’s my dog’s name) finished his business.

The morning air smelled fresh and sweet.  A breeze rustled softly through the trees.  I tilted my head back to feel the wind on face.  I felt the Holy Spirit wash over me, and heard Him whisper to my heart, “Come.  Let me thrill you.”

When was the last time God absolutely thrilled you?  When was the last time you shook your head in disbelief and awe at the power of the Holy Spirit?  Perhaps He’s whispering those words to you right now.  “Come.  Let me thrill you.”

A few days ago I decided to put the kids in a stroller and run to the park.  While we were on our way, I saw a woman ahead of us on the sidewalk.  As we neared her, the kids and I watched as she reached down and picked up a piece of trash on the ground.  “Look, guys!” I exclaimed to my children.  “She’s helping to keep our planet beautiful!”  I pulled up next to her and stopped.  “Thank you for giving me a teachable moment with my kids,” I said.  And then I felt a nudge to strike up a conversation.  It turns out her daughter and son-in-law had recently moved to North Dakota.  She was feeling lonely, and my children reminded her of her grandkids.

We talked for about ten minutes.  I got her name, and invited her to a ministry event at my church.  As I jogged off, I marveled at the way Jesus works.

Yesterday evening I had to stop at a deli to pick up a party tray for another ministry event.  The manager rang up my order, and for some reason I felt compelled to tell him where I was headed with the food.  He looked up in interest, and asked where I go to church.  As it happens, he and his wife are church shopping. I extended an invitation to Trietsch, and told him to look for me if he went to the 9:30 service, where my husband serves as an usher and I sing.  “We’ll keep our eyes out for you,” I told him.

Matthew 4:19 – Jesus called out to them, “Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

Jesus saw an ordinary group of men working a common job.  “Come!” He cried, and nothing about their lives was ever ordinary again.  Was there a twinkle in His eye?  Did He have butterflies of eager anticipation in His stomach?  What were the disciples feeling as they dropped their nets, strapped on their sandals and followed Jesus?

From casting nets to casting out demons.  From gutting fish to changing hearts.  Instead of weathering storms, they watched in awe as Jesus calmed them.  Turning five loaves and two fish into a feast for thousands.  Water into wine.  Restoring sight to the blind and life to the lost.  Jesus makes the ordinary extraordinary.

He speaks the same words to you and me.  “Come,” He calls, “and follow me.  I will make you fishers of men.”  The word in the Greek for I will make is poieó (poy-eh’-o).  This word fully insinuates that Jesus is the one exerting the effort.  It means that He will accomplish, He will bring forth the results, bear the burden, and execute the plan.  The word is translated in some places as to satisfy.  It also means to ordain, perform and provide.  Make no mistake.  When Jesus calls, all we have to do is “Come!”

When was the last time God absolutely thrilled you?  Perhaps it’s time to drop your net, open your heart, and come.

Dear Heavenly Father, You are absolutely amazing.  With you, a run to the park turns into encouraging words to lift up a stranger.  A trip to the deli ends in an invitation to church.  You make the good glorious and the mundane purposeful.  You make the bad bearable.  God, help us to seek You more.  Help us to remember that everything we do and every word we say is an opportunity to glorify You, and that nothing on this earth satisfies our souls like bringing glory to Your Son’s name.  Draw us closer, God.  Help us to let go of our agenda for Yours.  Without You, we are ordinary.  But with You, we can do extraordinary things!  Fill us with Your Holy Spirit that we might love lavishly, give abundantly, and serve willingly.  Give us ears to hear Your voice, and courage to follow Your lead.  Thrill us, God.  Show us Your glory.  Help us to spend more time with You, so that we recognize You when You reveal Yourself to us in ordinary things.  We love You so much, expand our hearts that we might love You more.  We ask these things in the precious, most holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.