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God Uses the Ordinary to Do the Extraordinary
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Leslie Kirby DeVoogh
“God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something.” 1 Cor. 1:28.
In the Bible, God often uses the most unlikely people in seemingly impossible circumstances for the fulfillment of His will and His glory. In all those situations, the people are obedient to God’s call.
My new favorite phrase from the Bible is “with haste”. On hearing the instructions from the angels, the shepherds went “with haste” to find the Lord Jesus and worship Him. They didn’t question their instructions. They acted.
I want to have that kind of obedient heart—one with feet that don’t hesitate but sprint in the direction God is pointing.
Recently at church we learned how insignificant and lowly shepherds were considered during the time of Jesus’ birth. As a romance writer, I’ve heard people make similar remarks
about romance books. I’ve even pondered whether writing stories about people falling in love with inevitable and expected happily every afters could really be the best way for me to tell people about Jesus? But as I hear from readers about how my stories help grow their faith, I’m starting to really see how God can use something a lot of people consider to be simple and even frivolous to do his work, and I’m awed that I get to be a part of sharing His message with readers.
“God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something.” 1 Cor. 1:28.
The truth is we can all do our part to share the good news of Jesus in what every we do everyday no matter how small. We never know how God is going to use the ordinary for the
extraordinary.
For thirteen years, I’ve been a soccer mom. Believe it or not, a lot of people have felt the need to let me know that they believe that travel soccer isn’t the best parenting choice. What they don’t understand is that nothing could have brought my son and I closer than the hours we’ve spent in the car driving to training sessions, games, and now, college recruitment events. Not to mention, the amount of time I’ve spent writing stories, devotionals, and talks in my car while he practiced.
Sure we’ve missed a few church services, but we’ve also watched church in hotel rooms and listened to sermons in the car and then discussed them. But the most amazing thing is the way God used this activity to do His work when I was least expecting it. When I decided to write a small-town romance for Harlequin’s Love Inspired line, I made the main character about a professional soccer player.
Who knew that all that time on the sidelines would lead to my first traditional publishing contract? God did, and He can and is using that story for His glory.
A long time ago, I was actually a judge which most people consider an honorable job with a fair amount of power. I mean, I could decide people’s actual freedom, so there’s that. And
while I was still a faithful person, trying to be obedient to God, not until, I left that career and chose to spend more than a decade writing romance stories in utter oblivion while raising my three children did God choose to use me, and I’m so glad He did.
Sure people don’t call me “your honor” anymore, but I sure prefer them saying that my story drew them closer to God, which is a much, much greater honor. I pray God continues to use me for His glory and that my story will inspire you to be obedient to the step God is telling you to take today.
Award-winning author Leslie Kirby DeVooght writes women’s fiction with faith, love, laughter, and a lot of Southern charm. When Leslie isn’t writing, she’s cheering on her three children, and enjoying date nights with her husband, who loves that she researches kissing.
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