On the surface, they seem to be just “ordinary” pieces of artwork. But if you take a closer look, you’ll find something extraordinary in each one.
In the first picture, there is a couple in love. The second one features a man’s face. The third one is of a baby, and in the fourth one, there are 10 faces. (Can you find all ten?)
Those artists are amazing arent’ they? Each picture brings glory to its creator as we see and appreciate the intricate detailing of the extraordinary within the ordinary.
Just like these works of art, there is beauty, mystery, and an extraordinary design in every one of us – put there by our Creator – who is anything but ordinary.
However, many of us often fall prey to excuses like, “I’m just a quiet background kind of person” or “I’m not like _____” or “I don’t have anything to give”… and we think that God can’t use us like He uses some who are more verbal or talented or “out there” kind of people. We could be no further from the truth.
In Experiencing God, Henry Blackaby teaches: “The people you generally see in the Scriptures were ordinary. Their relationships with God and the activity of God made them extraordinary… Anyone who takes the time to enter an intimate relationship with God can see Him do extraordinary things through his or her life…”
Are you an ordinary person who wants to be used by God for extraordinary works? Don’t try to go out and do extraordinary things! Instead, focus on seeking and getting to know God in a deep love relationship, studying and obeying His Word, and yield yourself to Him. The result is that He will do the extraordinary through you – in His timing and in His way that will be best for all involved.
Then, when others take a deeper look at your life – they will see the beauty and the incredible detailed plan of an Extraordinary Creator, and He will be mightily glorified through you!
“The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” Henry Varley
A men! Love to you extraordinary ordinaries. 🙂
Hey Jennifer,
How cool. Amazing how I missed all those things…AT FIRST.
I'd love to do an Experiencing God study one day.
Hope you are enjoying your summer♥
Hi Sweet Sister,
Beautiful photos. I saw the couple immediately but not the others until I read your post.
I remember reading Experiencing God back in 2001 with the handmaidens leadership class. I still have the book all marked up. Awesome.
Love you precious. So glad I was able to visit.
Thank you for showing how God takes what can seem so ordinary and make it extraordinary. I really needed this today.
I had to look closely at those pictures to really see what was seemed hidden. Extraordinary in the ordinary. I love that. And I loved doing Henry Blackby's Experiencing God. It made a huge impact in my faith journey. Thinking of you Jennifer and praying for you.
It's taken me a long time to make peace with my "ordinary." By God's grace, I've arrived and come to the conclusion that the most sacred work I will do on this earth will come through the one-on-one relationships I have with people. I no longer seek the fame and accolades of others. Believe me when I tell you it's been a long road of release, a difficult struggling, but with the recent passing of my friend, along with so many other extraneous variables, I'm finding peace with my very everyday life.
What a gift!
peace~elaine
What a BEAUTIFUL post today my friend. Oh..and I LOVE Henry Blackaby!!!
Praying for you friend!! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the cool pictures, and the "extraordinary" words of wisdom. ( :
Jennifer,
I needed to read this post! God certainly directed me to it. I find myself now and then forgetting to focus entirely on God and allowing Him to direct my life; and praising Him for how He has directed my life. Thank you for your post!
Nancy