Ordinary Measures

My mother-in-law had the most significant servant's heart I have ever seen. She was always busy doing something that would benefit someone else with grace and kindness. I often stopped by her house and found her baking a cake or cooking a casserole for someone in need. Her actions, though seemingly small, had a profound impact on those she served. If she wasn't cooking for others, she was most likely donning a pink hospital auxiliary jacket that she paid dues to wear so that she could volunteer to help others in the hospital, but she never counted the cost. She had a servant's heart through and through serving others daily and meeting the ordinary needs of so many.

In Acts Chapter 8, Jesus travels from town to town, sharing the good news many had been waiting to hear: the coming of the Kingdom of God. Teaching both His disciples and the large crowds that followed Him must have been physically exhausting. Yet, Jesus, by His very words, calmed an angry sea, restored a man possessed with evil spirits, and raised a dead girl—all by His voice. No big fanfares, no front-page news on the scrolls of the day, no "Mr. Fix-It" bag of tools, but rather, by His words and His power, He served others and met their most dire needs.

Dear friend, what does this mean for you and for me? Is it a reminder of the power that can flow from a voice and spirit that desires to serve Christ? Does our service look different based on the gifts we have been given? Yes, to both. However, do we think we have nothing unique or outstanding to offer? Sometimes. Yet, Jesus used the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary.

A cake or casserole, a smile, compliment, listening ear, or a chance to tell our story of God's love for us—however we serve is a ministry to others and a testimony of our love and desire to serve Jesus, our Savior forever.

"For I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me. Truly, I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:35-40 NIV

Ordinary measures often yield extraordinary impact.

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