DILIGENCE IN THE “ORDINARY.”

Ruth 2:2,7,12; Proverbs 14:23 ; I Samuel 17:17; Proverbs 12:27 ; Proverbs 13:4  

Life, much as we may protest, is full of the ordinary. Everything is, in fact ordinary and it is only through enlivening that we delight in the ordinary. Being called ordinary is a label that seems offensive and being associated as doing the ordinary is an invitation to quit or shift focus. We can unanimously blame the societal pressure and pictures painted all over the internet on how greatness should look like yet the Bible continues to reveal how God moved in ordinary circumstances and through “ordinary” people. It is the character being developed in us, while we are in the ordinary,  that invites God to display His power. Whatever you are doing now that is glorious and a source of pride and joy to you was once qualified as ordinary; and if it wasn’t , the tasks you did to achieve your goal was, to say the least, ordinary.

The ordinariness of circumstances should never devalue your worth or potential. The declared significance over any event/ situation come from God.

Gideon, Joseph, David aka shepherd boy and Moses all walked into their destinies while in ordinary situations.  I could go on and on and list up until we get to the likes of Mary: just an ordinary bride who had her wedding plans thrown out the window when it was decided that through her the Messiah would be born. Not much is mentioned of Gideon until Judges 6 and like Moses he counted himself as ordinary because he attempted to argue his way out of his calling because he had devalued himself. I am so glad God doesn’t see like I see. When I see repetitive and ordinary tasks, He sees tenacity and when I see my inadequacies, He sees potential.

Ruth, the one I like to call: Proverbs 31 woman extraordinaire, was not a partisan of idleness nor of idle chatter (Proverbs 31:27). It didn’t matter that she was in a foreign land and was supposed to be in a phase of “adjusting”. Instead, she embraced responsibility and went out to fend for her new household (Naomi) (Proverbs 31:14-15).

Gleaning was such an ordinary task that should’ve never predicted any of the succeeding events that have made it to the list of sermon worthy topics and yet Ruth was diligent. “she came and has continued from morning until now though she rested a little” (verse 7).   “….so she gleaned until evening.” (verse 17)

However crippling our circumstances may be, we should never resort to self pity. There is always a reward for diligence and God will position us in places of divine breakthrough just like He caused Boaz to notice and inquire of Ruth and how he took keen interest and accorded her benefits while she gleaned in his farm (Ruth 2:8,15). Happenstance is the secular version of providence and while it all seemed like coincidences: Ruth coming to the field of Boaz, Boaz choosing to visit the farm that day and noticing and inquiring concerning Ruth, the Master Chess player was using the ordinary tasks, done day to day which we can easily despise, to direct their lives and usher them into greatness.

Favor doesn’t mean you dial back. Favor doesn’t mean laziness. Granted, Ruth was a favorite in the eyes of Boaz just at first encounter as seen by the benefits she accrued: she had a meal with the boss- what I call their first date lol (verse 14), the grain would be purposely left for her (verse 16) but not once did she slack because of favor. Instead, she stayed close and kept gleaning through two seasons of harvest; barley and wheat (verse 23)

In all labor, there is profit.

God will meet you in the ordinary and bring out extraordinary results. Like Ruth’s destiny was shaped by her hard work which positioned her in the field of her destiny, may your hard work elevate you and cause you to be noticed. Like David whose obedience to the ordinary (taking food to his brothers) caused him to embrace an opportunity, may your obedience position you and grant you opportunities that will change the trajectory of your life. 

(Psalms 128:2) “You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.” Cultivate a consistent work ethic of diligence in the ordinary and see the Lord reward you in great ways as He establishes the work of your hands . (Psalms 90:17.)

Feeling like an ordinary person? Feel like you are stuck doing ordinary things? You are a candidate for unschedulable blessings. Stay diligent and may the Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel.

You are light and you are so loved. Stay anchored and keep His light shining through.