Be common with the uncommon

Jesus chose common men to be His disciples. None were said to be Pharisees, Temple workers, Prophets or Priests; Rather Fishermen, tax collectors, etc. None of them were great men of stature or wealth. These were the type of men that if you were to see them walking amongst the crowded streets of Jerusalem, you wouldn't know they were disciples of Christ, or disciples of anyone for that matter. At least not by the way they looked. However by their actions came a powerful testimony of the one they served. Through their daily testimony these men of little stature changed the world forever. God has always used the least to accomplish the most; the unwise to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27); the weakest to bring down the strongest (1 Samuel 17); and the worst to bring about the best. Just look at Israel. God used these rebellious and stiff necked people, people who continually turned from Him and followed other gods, to be His carriers and guardians of His word. Even after they were cut off (Romans 11:22) God promised to restore them (Romans 11:23-24). Look at David's many sins, Jonah's selfish refusal to preach to the Ninevites (Jonah 4:1-3), Samson's womanizing (Judges 14-16), and even the Apostle Paul's persecution of Christians (Galatians 1:13). None of these men were worthy to be called by God at the time of their calling, yet they were called none-the-less. The Bible is full of men such as these. Some of you may believe that you are less than common, far from wealth or stature. Maybe you think if you were to stand amongst a crowd no one would notice you as being any different or any more special than anyone else. Or maybe you think because of some sin in your past (or present) you are unworthy of being partakers in the ministry of God; Paul did (1 Corinthians 15:9). However, you are wrong. I'm telling you now that men of lesser stature, less common than you, with sins greater than yours have shook the very foundation of their society, and helped reshape the world for the glory of God. Let the world overlook you. Let the crowd pass you by as if there was nothing special about you; as if you were unworthy of your calling. Then as you blend into the crowd, stand out amongst them. Be common with the uncommon, and shake the very foundation of our social structure, reshaping the world for the Glory of God. Remember, it is not what you have done or how you look, but who you are and how you act that makes the difference.  [mp]

Copyright © 2004
Michael D'Urbano
All rights reserved
www.modernpapyrus.org