Being Extraordinary!

When I first started writing blogs, my cousin told me “I did not know you are so religious”. I wasn’t sure what to think of that comment. Honestly, I was a bit worried because being religious tends to have a negative connotation. Thoughts rushed into my head……from thoughts that I might fall into the stereotype of the religious people that are considered self-righteous, prudish, sanctimonious, boring, narrow-minded, ‘goody-goody’, etc. to the notion that my cousin might never be open with me again cause he might be afraid that I will preach to him or judge him. I was not thrilled about the whole thing. I had to stop myself cause I then realised that it was all a lie. Satan used my cousin’s comment to bring out my fears. When people saw Jesus, they did not think that he was religious (in a negative way)….the Pharisees were religious. He was pure, righteous and holy but he was never prudish or boring….he was controversial. He spoke of the love of God, taught thought-provoking teachings through parables, did many signs and wonders, showed love to the prostitutes, poor and less fortunate, showed a whole new way of life in the most creative way,etc. He was extraordinary! No one had seen or heard anyone like Him. Here is the best part….in John 14:12-14, Jesus promises that we will do greater things than these! “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ¹³ And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.” Wow! How much He loves us that, through the grace of God, He has empowered us to do extraordinary things. My God is just THAT AWESOME! :)

My question is, ‘why do many of us have a defeatist attitude?’ I want to do extraordinary things…probably why I enjoy reading and watching autobiographies of amazing people. Great men and women fascinate me! Daniel is one of my favourite men in the Bible. Daniel 6:3 states that “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit (extraordinary spirit) was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm”. John Bevere points out in one of his sermons that Jesus said ‘there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he’. Bevere continues to point out that John the Baptist was greater than Daniel, which means we have the capacity, through grace, to do greater things than even Daniel. Not just them, but also Moses, Elijah, Jeremiah, and most impressive, even Jesus. Jesus paid the price, the unpayable (is that even a word?) debt, to enable the grace of God to overflow. John 1:16 states that grace comes from the fullness of Christ which means that grace is ‘more than God’s disposition or impersonal favour’. It is when ‘God meets us in our point of need in the Person of Jesus Christ (including all His power and provision)’. John Bevere uses scripture to show that ‘grace is God’s empowerment that gives us the ability to go beyond our natural ability’. 2 Peter 1:3-4 says “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises…..”. I was so touched by John Bevere's sermon that I had to share it. By His fullness we have all received and grace upon grace (John 1:16). These amazing words enable and empower us to be extraordinary people. We must claim it and be the best in whatever we do. Creative, innovative, exciting, passionate, great leaders, full of wisdom, etc. My father would always say that through Christ you can be the best teacher that touches thousands and thousands of lives. It is that empowering grace that Christ has given so freely that enables such greatness. I do not know about you….but today I’m claiming it. I have seen His grace in my studies (from a failure to the best), in my weaknesses (uses what I was weak in and makes it my strength to proclaim His power), in the way He has provided when things did not seem possible and how He has always given me my hearts desires. I also know that through His grace I will do great exploits for the Lord and never be less than extraordinary for His glory (not mine).

I pray you are excited about your journey to being extraordinary. I know I am :).