Bible study, purpose

Do You Live an “Out of the Ordinary” Life?

Photo by Kim M Andrist
Photo by Kim M Andrist

 

“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” ~Jesus  (John 10:10 NIV)

full= The Greek word is perissos. According to Strong’s dictionary it’s used several ways:

  • Abundance, Advantage, Anything more, In Abundance, Out of the Ordinary, Beyond Measure. (mystudybible.com)

I’ve always wondered what Jesus meant when He said He came to bring us a “full” life or as some translations read, “an abundant” life. Looking into the original word helped me understand Christ’s intentions. He wasn’t saying we would be wealthy or happy all the time. He was saying we would live lives beyond ordinary. Beyond the norm.

But the enemy fights to steal our destiny.

 

John Eldridge writes in his book entitled Walking Dead:

“Of all the Eternal Truths we don’t believe, this is the one we doubt most of all. Our days are not extraordinary. They are filled with the mundane, with hassles mostly. And we? We are…a dime a dozen. Nothing special really. Probably a disappointment to God….You are not what you think you are. There is a glory to your life that the enemy fears, and he is hell-bent on destroying that glory before you act on it….The story of your life is the story of the long and brutal assault on your heart by the one who knows what you could be and fears it. (33-34)

Biblical characters fought this battle.

What would have happen if David believed what everybody was saying when he fought Goliath? He’d gone back to shepherding the sheep.

What would’ve happened to Peter if he never accepted Christ’s forgiveness and restoration as a disciple? He would’ve gone back to life as a fisherman and not experienced the salvation of 3000 people after his first sermon.

What would have happened if Paul believed his ministry was finished when he was imprisoned? We wouldn’t have half of the New Testament.

Photo by Andy Lee Costa Rica
Photo by Andy Lee Costa Rica

Some of us have listened to the lies. We’ve settled for the mundane. We at one time felt “special” to God. We knew He had work for us to do, but then life happened. Negative thoughts prevailed.

But you have been chosen. Called. Appointed for an “out of the ordinary” life.

What does that look like?

The ordinary life is one that has no purpose beyond today. Focused only on itself.

But the out of the ordinary life partners with Jesus. It’s filled with the Holy Spirit rather than the worries of today. It see’s beyond the “veil of familiarity” as C.S. Lewis put it, and steps into the “bigger-than-me” role God called us to.

If you are a follower of Christ, you’ve been called to do more than live today. You’ve been called to make a difference. Speak life. Give away the hope inside of you. Make today eternal.

You are special. You are extraordinary. How will this truth affect how you live February 5, 2014?

Much love!

andy

 

Link-up parties. Thank you too Juana Mikels and Rachel Wojo and Lyli Dunbar. They have great sites! Check them out.

 

11 Comments

  1. […] are no longer ordinary. Christ came so that we would live an out of the ordinary life.  (Click to read a post that further explains […]

  2. Visiting from Lyli’s today and so glad a clicked on your link. Beautiful encouragement. I will need to peak around more. :)
    Blessings,
    Beth

    1. Thanks Beth! Peak around all you want. Hope you find more encouragement. Blessings!

  3. P.S. We’re neighbors over at Juana’s place today.

    1. I’ll have to go find you!

  4. It’s easy to feel like you may have missed your calling and that there is nothing else to do, but God always has a Plan B.

    1. Amen. I know about those plan B’s. I think they’re harder but better. :)

  5. Beautiful, Andy! Thank you for your words of encouragement!!

    1. Thanks for reading and commenting, Laurie! So glad it was encouraging.

  6. Marie Brown

    Thank you Andy you are a great encourager. We need to remember our purpose here and keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

    1. Thanks Marie! Yes, keep those eyes focused on HIM!

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