Men are famous for their extraordinary days, but they are forged on their ordinary days. We revel in the accomplishments and bemoan the failures of others, yet, those highest and lowest points are marks on a lifetime of normal days.
Study the Book of Acts. While it records many miraculous events, we tend to forget the countless normal days the Apostles lived. Many days you would have seen Paul walking down a Roman road, sailing on a ship, working his craft, studying the Scriptures, or suffering in a prison cell. Frankly, the dramatic events of Paul’s ministry are sprinkled into a life of faithful, ordinary, and often challenging days of service. Not every day was his mighty sermon on Mars’ Hill (Acts 17).
Scripture is full of examples:
- Moses – this giant of the faith spent 40 years (14,600 days) in the wilderness. God was preparing him to lead the nation of Israel.
- Nehemiah – the noble wall-builder and governor spent decades serving a pagan king. God was stirring him to advance the work of God and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
- David – Israel’s mighty king is known for his highest point (Goliath) and greatest failure (Bathsheba). Yet, he spent many days with the sheep or hiding in the wilderness. God was shaping him.
- James and John – were mending their fishing nets when the Lord came to them. Jesus was calling them to make them fishers of men (Matthew 4:17-20).
- The Shepherds – these men were simply tending their flocks. God was lifting up common men to be His ambassadors (Luke 2:8-18).
The examples abound, but what is the application to us?
The Application: Live every moment in obedience to God.
Consider the Apostle Paul.
Do you realize that the great sermon Paul preached on Mars’ Hill was not planned? Scripture records that “while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews” (Acts 17:16-17). Notice that this gospel appointment was in a period of waiting. It was in an in-between time. The Apostle Paul’s burden for the lost “stirred” up his spirit to preach the gospel. Are you looking for divine appointments in your seasons of waiting?
Consider History.
The “greatest” men and women are famous for one season of their life. Yet, they were not created in those seasons. Often, their work was the results of thousands of normal days, seeking to obey God. Many preachers are known for their pulpits but made in their prayer closets, in their studies, in the widow’s home, and on the street corner with a hurting soul. All on normal days.
The great liberator, William Wilberforce spent countless normal days studying the law, sitting through sessions of Parliament, conversing with mentors (men like John Newton), and giving speeches. Yet, those days of obedience were used by God! Slavery was abolished on a Friday. Wilberforce was informed on Saturday and died on Sunday. One biographer noted: “Such a Saturday of joy…can only come after 1000 Saturdays of battle…” (Metaxas).
Examples from both Scripture and history flood our minds as we reflect upon normal days. Yet what about you and I? Each day is a gift from God. Every hour is an opportunity our Creator to use us for His glory. A single moment can change the course of a life. In the next moment, will God find you faithfully obeying His commands?
“Walk as if the next step will carry you across the threshold of heaven.” – Jim Elliot
