Being Extraordinary in Life Needs . . . EXTRA
Everyone wants to do something extraordinary at some point in their life. Some say it’s the persistent drive of the human spirit, but I believe it’s something deeper. I think it’s not just a human desire; it’s part of how God made us. If we are created in God's image, as I believe every person on earth is, we have a built-in desire to be more than just ordinary.
When we have not calibrated our lives to give God control of everything, that desire to be extraordinary shows itself in different ways. It might be seen in athletes pushing themselves to be the best, or people taking part in risky sports like those sponsored by Red Bull — doing dangerous things that most wouldn’t even consider. It could also be people setting big goals like climbing Mount Everest.
I’m not saying that people who aim for greatness don’t know Christ. But I believe everyone craves a sense of purpose and significance. Without Christ, we often try to be impressive so others will praise us for what we accomplish outwardly. Even if you’ve never tried to be the best at something, you still want to feel like you matter and have purpose in the world.
The point is, if you want to do extraordinary things, you need to have discipline — a strong commitment to achieve them. This kind of discipline should be the same for followers of Christ. Sadly, our culture has lowered the standard of what it means to be a Christian. Many see Christianity as just something they do on Sundays or a way to fit God into a busy schedule. But being a Christian is supposed to be a lifestyle focused on Christ, not just a part of your planner.
Following Jesus shouldn’t be just a job — it should be a privilege. And doing extraordinary things for God takes discipline and dedication. The good news is that anyone can do it when they put God first and learn to control their fleshly desires.
Think of being a follower of Christ like being a top athlete: you’re willing to give up certain things to be used by God in extraordinary ways. In fact, Christians should be the best at both physical and spiritual disciplines — they should stand out so much that others become curious about Jesus because of the love and power you display.
Today, think about what it will cost to grow closer to Christ. Set some big, extraordinary goals — both spiritually and physically — and watch God help you accomplish more than you ever imagined.