They’re everywhere. The world is full of them. Everywhere you look you’re bound to see them by the millions. In other countries, in the U.S., in your state and in your city. In fact, more than likely there are some on your street and even in the very house in which you live. Ordinary people. Yep, regular ol’ people like you and me. Blue collar, white collar, service, manufacturing. Moms, dads, sisters, uncles. Young, old and all in between. No matter the race, religion, nationality or sex, ordinary people fill this planet.
What’s so ironic is that God would fill the world with ordinary, similar people and then give them all the innate desire to be unique, special and different. Quite comical if you think about it. So many people today are working so hard to stand out. To not be ordinary, but somehow be extraordinary. Whether it’s clothes, hair, money, tattoos, cars, piercings, language, rebellion or even protesting, so many feel that somehow ordinary is bad. That somehow just being who and what you are minimizes you in society. But what would you think if I said every single human Bible hero in God’s Word was a regular ol’ Joe? What would you say if I said God actually prefers to use ordinary people to do His work? Doesn’t seem to make much sense does it?
In the book of Judges, we see God raise up 12 men and 1 woman to repeatedly save the Israelites from the plight their sin has gotten them into. And keeping theme with the rest of His Book, when He needs somebody to serve Him, he looks to ordinary people. Please let me clarify that last statement a bit, He looks to what the world sees as ordinary. But God does not look upon us as simply and superficially as the world does. You see, God does not look at a person’s appearance or actions to judge them as ordinary or extraordinary. God looks much deeper…He looks on the heart. God looks for extraordinary hearts.
In the sixteenth chapter of 1 Samuel, we see the prophet Samuel sitting in the home of Jesse, looking for the next King of Israel. Well guess what? As Samuel arrives, Jesse presents his sons in order of their stature and worthiness, that is…according to Jesse. Even the prophet of God, Samuel, bought into this rationale and was ready to quickly anoint the eldest son, Eliab. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and easy on the eyes. A shock of dark wavy hair topped him off and he spoke well, full of confidence. He looked, acted and spoke like a king. But in a powerful statement from God, He informed Samuel, as well as us today, exactly how God sees His people.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Jesse proceeds to parade seven more of his sons in front of God and God rejects them all. Samuel believes they are out of sons but alas, one is left. Young David was out in the field tending the sheep. Apparently, Jesse thought David had such a small chance to be appointed as king that he didn’t even bring him in from the fields. David is summoned and immediately the Lord has Samuel anoint him as king. You see, Samuel and Jesse were blind. They were blinded by their flesh, by their sin nature, by the eyes the world had trained them to see with. They looked at what they thought was important. God however, makes His choices much differently. You see, ordinary people can have extraordinary hearts.
As we start meeting the judges, we see ordinary people. They must have seemed painfully ordinary to all of those around them. But as God looked not upon their appearance but their special hearts, He calls them into His service. The odd thing about the judges is that we learn so little about most of them. There had been no kings over Israel yet, but these people served just as a king would. They led, they fought, they judged, they instructed, and they guided. Great responsibility was given to these ordinary people.
The first judge we meet is Othniel. You might recall Othniel as Caleb’s nephew that became his son-in-law after he married Caleb’s daughter. He became the first judge and all we really know about his earthly qualifications to be a judge is that he was related to Caleb. Yet God chose him, and his heart fought and freed the people that had been enslaved for 8 years. Afterwards, he judged in peace for 40 years.
The second judge we meet is Ehud. The only qualification we see that Ehud possessed is that he was left handed. Hardly enough to make him special or extraordinary in the world. In fact, in my immediate family of five, 2 are left handed. But, because of his obedient, brave heart, God uses that simple physical trait to assassinate the king that had been enslaving the Israelites for over 18 years. Ehud “the left handed” judged the people of God in peace for over 80 years.
The third judge is described in only one verse, only 22 words. But God does tell us he killed 600 Philistines enemies with only an oxgoad. Apparently his only special skill was fighting with a big cattle prod. Yet God saw within this ordinary man, an extraordinary heart and He used him to save Israel.
The fourth Judge we see today in chapter 4 is Deborah, the sole woman judge. We see a lot about Deborah’s story, 2 full chapters. God’s people had been enslaved this time for 20 years and God calls upon Deborah’s extraordinary heart to save them. To do that Deborah calls upon General Barak to do the fighting. Barak is quite the sheepish man and needs Deborah to accompany him all the way to the battlefield or else he refuses to go. So go Deborah does. What would seem to be an ordinary woman to most, has the heart of a warrior beating within her chest. And it beats for God.
Friends, how do you see yourself today? Do you see yourself as ordinary and you’re desperately trying to change yourself? You’re trying to appeal to the world and those in it by making yourself seem different, special or unique on the outside? You can try that all day long, but that avenue won’t bring you the satisfaction and peace you’re looking for. Try this. Instead of working on your exterior or behavior to make a splash, try working on the inside. Work on your heart for Christ.
Remember, God looks on the heart. So how is your heart for God today? In Psalms we see a verse that can be challenging and even terrifying for some.
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalms 139:23-24
If you want to be extraordinary to God, work on your heart. Ask God to grant you a pure heart today and invite Him into that heart to search its true thoughts and motives all throughout your day. Your part? To fight fiercely to protect that precious pure heart that He has gifted you with. And fight you will.
You see, satan and this world he controls, wants nothing more than to corrupt your heart. Satan desires to focus your heart on the sin that will separate you from the Holy communion that God desires for you today. Sexually impure thoughts, crass language, anger, pride, and reckless selfishness are just a few things that satan wants to instill in your heart...and that God wants you to reject. Don’t allow these to remain in your heart today. Instead, invite Christ into your heart to search it and to deal with these before they plague and enslave you.
Today, be truly different than the rest of the world. Be special. Be extraordinary. Focus your heart on Christ and fulfilling the special plans He has only for you. You may not look any different to the world, but I promise you this, you will look different to the only one that matters, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Fight for your heart today, the battle is raging.
Comments