Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Expect the Extraordinary.

My morning quiet time couldn't have been more timely and appropriate for me the past couple of days and I just wanted to share a little bit of what I read and soaked up with some of you here at my blog. I always figure that if something speaks loudly to me, maybe it will mean something to someone else too. So if you are out there and this speaks to you on whatever level, I am glad to be able to pass along a little 'food for thought'. Enjoy!
My Bible has devotionals throughout the pages mixed in with reflection questions and related readings. I always find them to be interesting or just good starting points to get my head spinning or thinking in the right direction. Here is what I soaked up from the reading titled, "Expect the Extraordinary" (based on Mark 1:14-20)... when Jesus called some fishermen to be his disciples-
"When the divine intersects with the ordinary, everything changes. An ordinary man who catches fish becomes a disciple who fishes for people. A mother whose daily life consists of changing diapers and folding laundry becomes a shepherdess of young lives. A smart businesswoman becomes a spiritual leader. A teacher becomes a mentor. A friend becomes an intercessor. A student becomes a missionary. A tongue-tied wallflower blossoms into a gifted speaker. When Jesus enters the scene, we can expect the extraordinary.
...
When Jesus calls us to follow him, he is looking for people who are willing to let go of the ordinary and look for the extraordinary. Sometimes that means we are called to leave everything- our 'nets' and our families- and go where he tells us. Other times following him means we keep doing what we've been doing, only with a shift in our perspective: we still change diapers, but we focus on raising godly children. We still do laundry, but as we do we remember that we serve a God of holiness. We still do business, but we remember that it's all kingdom business. We still go fishing, but now we fish for people as well as fish."
I can't help but think that too often, too many of us just don't expect that God can and wants to do amazing things in our lives. We tend to think that He would choose someone more capable, qualified, polished, or 'holy' than ourselves. I am finding that God just wants a willing, open heart and He is waiting and ready to do extraordinary things out of that. He doesn't demand perfection- for which I am eternally grateful to Him...but simply wants us to be able to be changed- to grow- to become who He can make us to be!

13 comments:

jeck said...

Thank you!! I needed that today!!

Kelly said...

Thank you Jody. God definitely used that to speak to my heart this morning.

mel said...

I too am learning this in my own life. It's been fun and amazing to see God at work in me and others I am around! Thanks for this post.

Casey Moore said...

Thank You Jodi! Those words spoke to my heart!

Anonymous said...

Grandma Karen and Grandpa John have been out of town at the new lake house for a while. Now referred to as Jody's vacation spa for the summer of 2009.
Thank you to everyone that expressed sympathy at the loss of my "little" brother. It will take a while to get over this one.
Now I would like to add a name to that very long list of names. This one is from my friend Ann. Ann and Bill were not blessed with children so she is a bit opionionated for a reason. She suggests William John and call him Will. The name John would follow Ferlaak family tradition and would now have an emotional tug to it. And I think a simple name like William sounds very good when being announced as president of the United States. President William John Ferlaak. Looks good on the stationary.
Love to all.

Anonymous said...

That DOES speak to me today. I just started a teaching position at a new school, and now I know to pray for God to do great things with ME as I lead these children.

Michelle said...

Thank you Jody!!! I needed this reminder...

xoxo

Kerry said...

Thanks Jody I really needed a reminder of that. I have been struggling with several things and that puts it in perspective.

lori said...

good word, I am glad you shared

SingerMamaMelody said...

Hi Jody! I liked reading that part about being a "shepherdess of young lives." That really sums it up, doesn't it? I'll have to remember that, and truly that it is important to be a shepherd for our children's lives. Thank you for your inspiration! I hope things are going well with your pregnancy.

Unknown said...

AMEN JODY!

Keeping you in prayer as your 'labor day' quickly approaches!

May we all learn that He wants to use us - pure and simple as we are. He doesn't need us to be anything - actually the less of us the better!

God bless!
Love,
Jill

Julie said...

I too defintely needed that. Just wanted you to know that I still check in regularly and can't wait to read about your new little bundle of joy arriving very soon. Here's to a safe, fast, healthy delivery for mom and baby!

Bohemian chic said...

You get "it" so completley. Your light is shining. Praise you Jesus! Jenn