Yesterday, the first reading was about Naaman and Elisha. Naaman had leprosy and he went to see Elisha to be healed. Elisha told him to
and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
2 Kings 5:10
Naaman wasn’t really down with that. One translation says he went away angry.
Wash in the Jordan? Seriously? What was wrong with the waters in Israel? Why did he have to wash in the Jordan?
Why was Naaman angry?
You probably know the story…one of Naaman’s servants was brave enough to point out that if Elisha told Naaman to do something extraordinary, then Naaman would gladly have done it.
But Naaman wasn’t told to do something extraordinary.
He was told to do the ordinary.
He was told to do something simple.
He was told to do something seemingly small, but it produced great results.
Naaman took the servant’s words to heart and went to wash in the Jordan.
And he was healed.
Sometimes I am like Naaman. I want to do something extraordinary. I want to do something big. I want to be special. I want to be noticed.
Oh…that pride. And that is exactly what it is. PRIDE.
If my blog is only read by one person and my words touch their heart, then that should be enough.
If my life is lived in a way that brings honor and glory to the Lord and I am never “noticed”, then that should be enough.
If my I honor the Lord with my time, talent and treasure and I don’t see “visible” results, then that should be enough.
I need to learn to let the Lord take my normal, simple, every day, ordinary life and use it the way he wants. I need to stop looking for the extraordinary things that I can to. Because really, I don’t matter. I know that in my heart and head, but sometimes the human side of my forgets.
I think we all want to do something extraordinary, but maybe…just maybe…our ordinary IS extraordinary when used by Him.
Do you struggle with wanting the extraordinary
or are you comfortable with ordinary?
I’m joining with Michelle for
Oh, how I relate to this. Thank you for sharing.
Great post….I think we all struggle with wanting to do something extraordinary something that will set us apart and make us special.We don't seem to think just being us is special enough or that God can use someone like me….But since we belong to God it's His choice as to how we are to be used if only we will humble ourselves under His mighty hand….You are right…pride is a sneaky snake….
Yes, Nancy, it is sneaky and I really have to watch out for it!
Hmmm, so good! I totally get the urge to be extraordinary, to be noticed. I have to continually lay myself at the later and cry, "it's all for YOUR glory".
Thanks, Barbie. It is ALL for HIS glory, but sometimes my pride gets in the way.