The Extraordinary Ordinary

G.K. Chesterton is attributed with the quote: “The most extraordinary thing in the world is an ordinary man and an ordinary woman and their ordinary children.” Not only is the quote insightful for families; it also illuminates the Christian life. Namely, the remarkableness of growing in our love for Christ the Lord can be found in the “ordinary means of grace” we receive through the ministry of the local church: the Word (hearing the preaching of the Scripture, personal Bible study, memorizing Scripture), prayer (both private and public), the Lord’s Supper, and water baptism.

These ordinary means contrast with what we might understand as a “extraordinary” approach to the Christian life: mountain top experiences, revivals, explosive growth in a short amount of time, deliverance from a demon, and the instantaneous breaking of a sinful habit. These “extraordinary” approaches are valid, as many Christians (myself included) have experienced. Nevertheless, some Christians exclusively thirst for the extraordinary, while neglecting the ordinary. They may problematically see the week-in, week-out participation in the local church as too slow, ineffective, and boring. Which is unfortunate.

Yes, God does grant us amazing experiences of answered prayer and instantaneous change (Acts 9), and, yes, also that the Spirit grants us growth that occurs over a very long period through normal, weekly practices (2 Pet 3:18). Don’t neglect the ordinary; see the beauty in Christ’s routine means of shaping us into His image. Stick with your Bible reading. Go to church. Serve & fellowship faithfully. And commit to doing so as long as life endures. God works extraordinarily through the ordinary.

Pastor Chance Sumner