Too many people think of extraordinary life as something filled with romance, incredible relationships, exotic travel, lifestyles of the rich and famous, dynamic expressions of spiritual gifts or demonstrations of courage and love that become legendary. I don’t believe that any of these (some of them shallow and others altruistic and spiritually sound) make an extraordinary life.
The gateway to the extraordinary is simply doing what God wants us to do- following the clear command and pure word. Now, that might sound simple. But, it is profound to do what God calls us to do. A day by day trip through the Bible reveals some rather sacrificial or special behavior. God simply said, “Don’t have other gods before me” (command number one). And, in most cases that might not be challenged. But, for Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego this became a simple command with huge consequences that ultimately carved an indelible place for them in human history. When other gods were presented, they stood out (actually up) like a sore thumb. It was simple obedience. They didn’t bow down. Not too hard. But, not many others joined them.
We call this simple act- “obedience.” It does not often require esoteric knowledge or special skill. Just a raw obedience and a committed faith that says, “God expects this, so I will do it, expecting him to help me.” One of the classic illustrations of this is in Genesis 22. God quite boldly and simply asked Abraham to do the unthinkable- kill his own son. Abraham oddly asked no questions, but was prepared to go the whole way. He didn’t over think. He might not have allowed himself to think much. Obedience usually requires people to refrain from arguing, presenting apologetics to God or developing a sound case why what is asked of us should not be done. It requires a Marine-like “Yes, sir.” Otherwise, it is too easy to talk ourselves out of the command. Abraham simply acted and God’s first response to him was, “because you obeyed me . . . I will bless you . . . .” It wasn’t hype on Abraham’s wit, intelligence, extraordinary skill or profound gifting that brought the promise. It was the gritty, “O.K.” and act that brought God’s favor.
The complete difference between the person with a house built on the sand and on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27) is not knowledge or even faith. It is obedience. Both kinds of people hear and presumably understand what needs to be done. One does it. The other does not. It’s as simple as that. The house of cards is built by any who knows and doesn’t act. An impenetrable fortress is built by anyone who knows and acts on even the simplest knowledge.
The best and most faithful way to pray is with a commitment to do whatever God instructs or lays heavily on your heart- immediately. The best and most faithful way to read Scripture is to commit to do whatever God instructs in the passage of Scripture- immediately. The best way to love God or another is to know what needs to be done and, without delay, to express the love. Many Christians are familiar with the Great Commission. They can quote that we are to “Go and make disciples . . . .” Many remember that there is something about teaching and baptizing in there. Most people remember that the baptizing is in the Trinitarian name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What I seldom find, however, is the clear emphasis about teaching these new disciples to obey all he had commanded. In other words, it is fanciful to think that disciples can be made by talking to them and dunking them in water. At the end of the day, none of us are really disciples unless we have figured out how, by the gracious power of Jesus Christ, through the clear direction of the Word with the help of the Holy Spirit to “obey” Him.
Get the faith out of the head and into the life. Do what He says, right away. Then guess what? An extraordinary life emerges- burning bushes, big arks, walking in fire without being burned, sacrifices being consumed, walking on water and some other less impressive, but equally powerful displays. None of these things came to the skilled, but to those who obeyed.