Exceptionally Ordinary
By Donna McMorrow
When my brothers and I were young, we had superpowers. Don had x-ray vision, and John could shoot bullets out of his fingers. Of course, both of my brothers were extremely strong and could fly, too. And I was fairly certain that when given a cape and a sparkly tiara, I could talk to animals and save the world—all before Mom called us in for dinner.
We were going to be famous, for more than 15 minutes, because we had done something wonderful. Nothing could stand in our way. But then, much to our surprise, we got older. We turned in our capes and tights. X-ray vision and animal communication were put on the shelf. We suddenly realized that we couldn’t actually fly. We went from running faster than a speeding bullet and leaping tall buildings in a single bound to being rather ordinary, average people.
But God uses ordinary, average people to do extraordinary things through His grace and power. As you look through the pages of your Bible, you will see ordinary, humble and sometimes even foolish people become heroes. Noah saved his family and the animals from the coming flood. Abraham fathered a mighty nation. Moses didn’t become a hero until after he tended his father-in-law’s flocks in the back of beyond. David, a young shepherd boy, slew a giant. Fearful Gideon became a mighty warrior. Peter, who denied Jesus three times, became a rock.
Jesus did not come to earth to save people who are already superheroes. He came to save the lost and afflicted. He came to rescue those of us who need a Savior. He came to pay our ransom. He came to grant our pardon. He came out of love to be with us. And then, because of our relationship with Jesus, we become sons and daughters of the most high God. He gives us—exceptionally ordinary people—the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority to do great things. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-30 (MSG), Paul writes:
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast ... you are in Christ Jesus ... our righteousness, holiness and redemption.”
Donna and her brothers during their superhero days.
When we have been saved by God’s grace, He makes us superheroes capable of changing the world through prayer and action in His Name. He gives us a word on our lips and a testimony to share, and He tells us to rise up and go. Are you ready? Let’s go!
Donna McMorrow and her husband have been married for 41 years. She is a retired special education teacher, adoptive parent, cancer survivor and child of the King. In her free time, she enjoys reading, photography and painting.