(by Lorie Codispoti)
In Ephesians 5, Paul reminds Christians that, as Christ followers they no longer walk in darkness. And that they were to reflect His light in the way they lived their lives.
God’s word is the blueprint for living the extraordinary life.
It doesn’t take much to be ordinary, as it simply means to be of common rank or ability, and denotes a deficiency in quality. To add and activate the “extra” means to purposefully go beyond the status quo.
Here are four notable characteristics of extraordinary people (not exhaustive):
ONE - Extraordinary people acknowledge that they are ordinary people serving an extraordinary God.
These people lack the ability to be anything but ordinary. They know that going beyond the ordinary means going outside themselves and tapping into the One who holds the “extra.”
Biblical history affords us many examples of the ordinary turned extraordinary by a great and mighty God .
I like Moses because he was admittedly an ordinary man. When God informs him that He has chosen him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt Moses begins to list all the reasons why he can’t do it.
What was God’s response? He encourages Moses by saying, “I will help you…” (It’s not what you know, but Who you know.)
TWO - Extraordinary people are hospitable.
Did did you know that this ministry is so important to God that he makes it a prerequisite for a widow to qualify for church support? (1Tim. 5:10)
Hospitality has many looks, but for most of us our homes are where we practice and develop this ministry.
Winston Churchill said, “We shape our dwellings and then our dwellings shape us.”
I started out like Moses in this area. I gave God all the reasons why I would never be good at hospitality, but He told me the same thing He told Moses: “I will help you.” And the way He helped me was by giving me a mentor. She is a natural at making everyone that comes into her home feel loved. She taught me that the size of your house is not as important as the size of your heart, and that the dinner menu is less important than what you serve up in conversation. I’m so thankful for her investment in my life.
THREE - Extraordinary people have learned to be content.
Paul testified that he “learned in whatever state I am, to be content.” (Phil.4:11)
Note that he “learned” this principle. It wasn’t something that came natural. God taught Paul that contentment is not based on our circumstances.
One of my dearest friends is a mother of seven children. Her husband worked shift work for a number of years, and at the time they live in a tiny two-bedroom house. For 5 years she and her husband slept on sofa bed in living room. When we talked she would express the challenges of trying to homeschool her children and keep the house quiet for her husband to sleep. Over time I have watched her go from wondering how they would make room for another baby, to a heart of joy for the close relationships that were developed by living in such tight quarters. She “learned” to be content in her circumstances because her contentment was not based on her circumstances.
Whatever our situation, the only way to counter discontentment is with a heart of gratitude.
The Paul that said that he “learned” how to be content, is the same Paul who later testifies to his protege’, Timothy, that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” (2Tim.6:6-7)
FOUR - Extraordinary people judiciously guard their gates.
In ancient times, the city gate was the busiest place in the city. (Can you relate?) It served as both entrance and exit, and was the location of most important exchanges (social, business, justice, news, markets, trading, preaching, and even lodging).
In battle, to “possess the gates” meant to possess the city. Therefore, a strong defense was crucial for the protection of the inhabitants. Many gates were flanked by towers and manned with watchmen who stood guard day and night because the gate was the most vulnerable place within the wall.
Consider The Great Wall of China.
History records it to be 4,000 miles long, and wide enough at the top for 10 people to walk side by side. It was built as a defensive fortification that symbolized the great power of the emperor. Each watchtower was heavily fortified with soldiers that were well equipped and highly trained with the finest weapons of their day. Cannons were also mounted in strategic positions.
In its glory days this wall was successfully invaded three times. Can you guess how?
It was not scaled or penetrated, and the enemies were not well armed with the latest weaponry.
Each invasion came at a time when the inhabitants were impoverished and weakened by their own government’s breakdown and corruption. All three times, their enemy bribed the gatekeeper and marched right through the gate. What a sobering truth!
While we may not build literal walls around our dwellings these days, we are charged, by God, to love Him with all our being in both our homes and our hearts. In fact, Deuteronomy 6:5-9 tells us to go so far as to know and bind ourselves to His precepts, and to teach them to our children. We also make it known to everyone who enters: "You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and ON YOUR GATES.”
This kind of guarding requires us to be proactive and strategic. This is no time for passive conformity to ungodly forces that tempt our hearts to stray. We need to arm ourselves with God’s word. In Psalm 118 we read that the Gate of the Lord is righteousness. At the very entrance, our right relationship to God should be known. No matter how strong our enemy appears, God has promised to give “strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” (Isa.28:6)
No one has ever lived a perfect life, except for the One who modeled it for us. Jesus Christ enables us to live an extraordinary life because He is the One who puts the “extra” in “ordinary.”
