Ordinary People – May 28, 2021

Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?”
Acts 2:7

Ordinary People

The Bible tells us about a very special day shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven called Pentecost. On that day, the Holy Spirit of God gave Jesus’ followers the ability to speak in languages they had never learned so that they could tell the thousands of visitors in Jerusalem all about Jesus and what he had done. When they did, the Bible says that the people who heard them speaking were amazed. They asked, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?” These were not college-educated, multi-lingual, highly-skilled orators. They were blue-collar, callous-handed, working-class men. They were fishermen, like James and John. They were tax collectors, like Matthew. They were quick to talk and act but sometimes slow to think, like Peter. They were normal people. They had flaws and fears just like you and me.

Isn’t this comforting to know? God can do amazing things through ordinary people. People like you. It may not be speaking in a language you have never studied. But it might be speaking a word of encouragement to a co-worker, or a word of warning to a wayward teenager, or a word of comfort to a friend.

Why would God use someone like you to do something so important? Certainly not because you are such a deserving messenger. Just like Jesus’ disciples, you are sinful and flawed. But, just like Jesus’ disciples, you have a God who loves you and sent his Son to save you from your sins. That same God can now use you to serve him and the people he has brought into your life. Aren’t you utterly amazed?

Prayer:
Dear Lord, give me a heart that loves all people, as you love all people. Use me, an ordinary person, to serve the people you have brought into my life. Amen.