Even in the Ordinary, God is Working

“And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.  And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:18-20)

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Mary was a virtuous teenager at the time of the angel’s visit. She was from Nazareth, a place many Jewish people at the time looked down upon (John 1:46). Yet, we read in Scripture that from this town, God would select Mary as the mother of Jesus Christ.

When the angel Gabriel visited Mary, it changed everything. The angel went on to foretell the birth. Mary yielded to God’s will, saying,

“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38).

God met her right where she was.

The shepherds were attending their flocks at night. It was just a regular day, nothing special. That is until the skies were filled with angels worshipping God. They met the shepherds right in the fields where they worked, proclaiming the birth of Jesus and proceeding to guide them toward the place the Lord was sleeping. (Luke 2:8-15).

After visiting Him, they returned to their field, “glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and see, as it had been told them.” (Luke 2:20) God met them right where they were.

The wise men were most likely engaging in their everyday activities when an exceptional star caught their attention. It was enough for them to leave their homes in the east and make their way toward the king of the Jews (Matt. 2:1-2). They presented Him with the finest gifts and bowed down in worship. God met them right where they were.

A small newborn baby lying in the manger. This baby boy began His life in the most humble of circumstances. He would one day grow up to demonstrate perfect love by being the ultimate sacrifice for the world’s sins, making a way for believers to know God. He was the light amid the darkness of humankind. He was God in human form and, for now, slept peacefully in His mother’s care. God Himself met humanity right where we were.

We serve a God who interprets the ordinary. He has a tendency to meet us in our everyday life and do what only He can do.

Maybe you feel comfortable in your everyday routine of life, as the shepherd did. Would you be open to God shaking up your life with something that requires a step into the unknown?

Perhaps you have plans laid out for your life and are holding onto them for stability and security. Would you be open to God interrupting your best-laid plans?

Maybe you like Mary, an ordinary person just trying to do the right thing. Do you believe that God can do amazing things in your life if you only surrender in faith?

When we faithfully serve Him and learn to wait, He speaks to us in amazing ways.  

God calls real, ordinary people to become sons and daughters of the living God. He takes a broken, ordinary life and redeems it with the power of the Holy Spirit. That is the most extraordinary work of all.

I pray that during this Christmas season, we will be reminded that the God who has called us by His grace speaks in the ordinary. He did for Mary, the shepherds, and the wise men, and certainly, He can do the same for you and me.

May you enjoy peace and rest during this Christmas season!

Blessings,