Not So Ordinary

Jesus said to them, "Fill the waterpots with water." And they filled them up to the brim. John 2:7CloseJohn 2:7 Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled, OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) (NKJV)

Scripture reading: John 2:1-10CloseJohn 2:1-10 The next day* there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother told him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, that's not our problem," Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." But his mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.* Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled, he said, "Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies." So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. "A host always serves the best wine first," he said. "Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

My mother used to say I was the poster child for the phrase, “Born to Shop.” I used to be. Then I asked the Lord to take away my desire for things and He did. Don’t get me wrong, I still love a good bargain, but I don’t spend my time in the stores. If I find a bargain it is because I have had a friend call and tell me of a great sale or I just happen upon it.

A friend called today and declared I had to head to “Backyard Structures” because they were having the sale of all sales. My curiosity got me and I turned my car around and went to check out this sale of all sales.

When I arrived, I did like any good hunter does … I circled the prey and looked for my target. There were lots of pretty things, but I wasn’t eager to buy. Then I saw this beautiful urn. My mind immediately thought of the scripture in John 2 about the water pots, and I knew I had to have that urn as a constant reminder of God’s mercy. I bought it at a huge discount, but I would have paid full price. Today, it sits on my mantel as a symbol of God’s mercy and love.

God took an ordinary water pot, which in that day were found common. He had the men fill the ordinary, common water pot with ordinary, common water. Then, under the Master’s direction and in His hand, the ordinary and common became extraordinary. Oh, how we may feel like just a mom, or just a wife, or just a banker, or just a teacher, but when we allow ourselves to be directed by the Master and we place ourselves in His hands, we become extraordinary. 

When the Father looks at us, He doesn’t see what we see. He sees our potential in His hands. 

Gideon is a perfect example of this. The Israelites were in trouble. The Midianites were oppressing them at every turn. A young man named Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress when the Lord showed up to talk with him. Gideon was from the weakest clan of Manasseh, the smallest of his clan. Yet when God called out to him, He didn’t say, “Hey runt, come here.”

Judges 6:12CloseJudges 6:12 The angel of the LORD appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the LORD is with you!" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt) says, “When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." (NIV)

God knew what Gideon would become if he would allow the Lord to work in his life. When Gideon put his life into the Master’s hands and trusted Him, he became the instrument of deliverance for the people of Israel.

So, what are you waiting for? Are you willing to place your life in the Master’s hands and completely trust Him? You will be amazed at what happens if you will.

Thought for the day:  There is nothing common or ordinary about a completely surrendered heart.  When we place ourselves in the Master’s hands, the possibilities are truly endless.

Copyright © Susan Norris, used with permission.