Extraordinarily Ordinary

"God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God."

1 Corinthians 1:28–29

As a pastor, I can laugh at myself when I think about why in the world would God choose someone like me to proclaim His word in this world. I don’t doubt God but often times I admittedly doubt myself. The Bible teaches us that man looks at the outward appearance of things while God looks at the heart. No one but God can see the human soul and know the true intentions of the heart.

All throughout the Bible we see God raising up men who seem to lack the “proper” earthly credentials based on the worlds standards. If we used the worlds standards pastors would be required to hold PHD’s in theology. Consider David, the shepherd boy who would become King of Israel, the leader of God’s chosen people.  

David was probably the most unforseen person to sit on the throne of Israel. The nation voted and chose a man by the name of Saul to be king. After all, he was taller than everyone else and good looking and he had personality. At first it appeared as if Saul might have been a good choice. It didn’t take long before Saul’s heart was filled with pride and began to blatantly disobey God. After numerous warnings and chances to have a change of heart Saul refused and the Lord made clear that Saul was done as King, he was out.

The Lord chose David to be the next King of Israel, a kid with red hair. He wasn’t tall but he was considered to be a good looking kid. Almost the polar opposite of King Saul, the people probably thought Samuel had gone nuts when he anointed David to be the next King.

Samuel was simply following the Lord’s leading proving once again that God doesn’t see man as men see men. God sees what no man can see. God sees the thoughts and the motives that govern a man’s decision making process. God chose David and in spite of his failures the Lord said that David was a man after God’s own heart.  

The question begs to be asked, why does God seem to choose the most unqualified people to such an important work in leading His people. the Bible tells us the answer is quite simple, God gets the glory! 1 Corinthians 1:28–29 puts it like this, “God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God” (NLT).

None of us can control the circumstances surrounding our lives but we do have complete control as to how we respond to them. I like the old saying, “God doesn’t call the qualified, God qualifies the called.” In other words, the Lord isn’t looking for the most talented or gifted, handsome or beautiful people. God can and does use whomever He chooses and most often God is looking for people who are available. One thing we know for sure, God can do much with little as He does extraordinary things through ordinary people, men and women who are simply naturally supernatural.


“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Acts 1:8  


I LOVE YOU!

Michael Osthimer

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