Do you ever read the Bible and think, It would be so awesome to be used by God like David or Mary or any of the other Bible heroes? How often do you find yourself saying, “I could never be used like that because I’m just (fill in the blank with your name)”?

Do you feel like a nobody compared to people like David, Mary, or any number of other amazing people we read about in the Bible? There was a time when David and Mary were also just ordinary people, doing ordinary things. God loves to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. 

David

David was just a boy who was put in charge of his father’s sheep. He learned to use his time alone to talk with God. In return, God gave David beautiful songs to write. Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear the melody that was written to each of the Psalms? Sometimes I wish I could hear how the real song went. 

To David writing songs probably seemed like an extraordinary accomplishment. David learned at an early age that he could do amazing things when he allowed God to work through him. He likely knew he was only able to write such beautiful songs through the power of God. I imagine David was content being a songwriting shepherd. 

However, God had bigger plans for David. God saw David as both a mighty warrior and a king. It took time for David to be ready for those roles. God first had to show David how strong and powerful he was when he was filled with his Spirit.

David Already Trusted The Lord

 Just think about the time David killed Goliath. David had confidence God would work through him to kill this enemy of God’s people because he had seen how God’s power worked through him to kill a lion and a bear when he was tending the sheep. 

“But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!””            ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17:34-37‬ ‭(ESV) (emphasis added)‬‬

It was in David’s everyday life, he learned he could do extraordinary things when he relied on the Lord. David showed himself to be trustworthy in taking care of the sheep. Therefore, God knew he could trust him to battle against this giant and later entire nations. 

What are the areas in your life that seem mundane and routine where you can ask the Lord to show you the extraordinary results that happen when you rely on him to work through you? God is molding you into the extraordinary person he created you to be through these everyday, mundane activities.

Joseph And Mary

Joseph and Mary were just two kids engaged to be married. They were nobodies as far as society was concerned. They were busy planning for their future. I can imagine they had similar conversations to those of engaged couples in today’s day and time. Where would you like to live? What does your dream home look like? How many kids do you hope to have? What are your dreams and aspirations? What is your favorite food? 

Being the parents of the Son of God was the farthest thing from their thoughts until Gabriel came to visit them. Mary couldn’t understand how she could be pregnant, even after the angel told her it was so. “Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”” Luke‬ ‭1:34‬ (‭NLT)‬‬ 

Likewise, we can see what Joseph was thinking in Matthew 1:19 (NLT), “Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.” 

Then the Lord gave Joseph a dream explaining what was really going on. In Matthew 1:24 (NLT) we find out what Joseph decided to do regarding his and Mary’s future, “When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife.”

Mary Was Still Humble

‭‭Did Mary think she was someone special because she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus? We see a clear picture of how ordinary Mary felt even after being chosen as the mother of her (and our) Savior.

“Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”” ‭‭ Luke‬ ‭1:46-55‬ (‭NLT) (emphasis added)‬‬

Did you notice how Mary described herself? A “lowly servant girl” is definitely a description of someone who sees themselves as just an ordinary girl. Mary acknowledges it is God who gives her good gifts and does “tremendous things” for his people. 

God Uses Ordinary People

God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things to further his kingdom. I’m just an ordinary woman, who lives in Texas. I have three kids, and a husband. There is nothing special about me by society’s standards. I can’t sing. A mannequin can act better than me. I’m so not athletic. In fact just about anyone can beat me at any and every sport. I’ve never written anything that received any award. I’m about as ordinary as society can describe. 

I may be ordinary, but God still chooses to use me in extraordinary ways. I’ve heard from many of you telling me what I’ve written on this blog has touched you. God uses me to give comfort to friends who are struggling. The right words seem to just come to me when I am talking to someone. Those words can only come from the Holy Spirit, as I am not that wise and good on my own. 

When I choose to walk with the Holy Spirit guiding me, I get to do those extraordinary things. It is through his power, his wisdom, and his strength I am able to touch anyone. 

How About You

You may feel ordinary too. You may think God can’t use you in any special ways. Know this, my friend, when you partner with the Holy Spirit you can be just like David, Joseph, and Mary. Sure your job will be different from theirs. However, your job will be no less important than the job God gave to David, Mary, and Joseph. Your job is something God designed just for you. You will be the best at whatever it is God has called you to do. Maybe nobody but you and God knows what that special job is. Regardless, it will be no less valuable, no less important than the jobs God calls someone whom society calls amazing and important. God doesn’t make unimportant jobs. In his eyes all the things he asks his children to do are important. 

What is it you know God has asked you to do? Have you been hesitant to do that job? Maybe it feels benign like David may have felt as a shepherd. You may feel like you are just a man or woman with nothing special to offer, like Joseph and Mary may have felt. Society may see you as unimportant, but God sees you as the most treasured person he has ever created. He loves you and thinks you are to die for! So go out there and be that extraordinary person God created you to be!