Prejudiced against ordinary?

There’s a misconception among many leaders that everyone should want to pursue something extraordinary.

In fact, a few days ago someone posted a tweet on Twitter saying, “Surely we weren’t made to be ordinary.” That bothered me, because it seemed to indicate that ordinary people are lesser than those who may be rather extraordinary.

Masses of people around the world are not only happy being ordinary, they are both satisfied and content with their ordinary state. They enjoy a life of loving their spouses and children, working hard in their jobs, serving in their churches and communities, and having a little fun in life. They absolutely could care less if they ever sat foot on a stage, had their name published somewhere, received a standing ovation, or spoke in public.

However, these ordinary people, as a whole, accomplish more extraordinary feats than most extraordinary people ever will. Every day, ordinary firemen run into burning buildings and save lives; ordinary policemen put on bullet proof vests and protect their communities; ordinary nurses soothe the hurting and dying; ordinary teachers spark a love for learning in a child; ordinary people help their ordinary neighbors with needs, and on it goes.

Great things are accomplished every day by ordinary people who step up to accomplish something extraordinary, then return to their ordinary lives. Unlike those who long to be extraordinary, these ordinary folk keep life going, and will routinely offer themselves for the extraordinary as needed.

I titled this blog “Extraordinary Living” and explained why in my first post. The thought behind the title is that living an extraordinary life is to follow in the steps of Christ. As Christians, we have died to sin, have been buried with Christ, and raised to walk in newness of life. We have received the Holy Spirit, who teaches, guides and empowers us to deny ourselves, take up our own crosses, and follow Jesus. There is nothing more extraordinary than to live a life of transformation in service to Christ.

Many ordinary people are doing just that, rather extraordinarily.

Scotty