Lake Eufaula Christian Church
This time of year most people think about what changes they need to improve their lives. Unfortunately, 92% break their New Year’s resolutions before Valentine’s Day. Many of these same resolution breakers probably believe that God created all of us for extraordinary things. If that’s so, before achieving something amazing, we need to practice being unordinary.
Incredible things are possible if we hear God’s word and apply it to any change we’d like in our lives. Hearing God’s message can redirect the trajectory of lives in a God-honoring way that’s self-improving, exceptional, impressive, noteworthy, significant, and/or unique—all adjectives synonymous with unordinary.
The way to start being unordinary is to examine our ordinary habits.
If we want to be successful in having Godly lives that shine for Christ, we need spiritual habits that make us stand out as unordinary. Small disciplines lead toward big things and big results over time. Jesus is the perfect example of One having habits successfully pleasing God. Jesus never, ever said, “I just can’t find time to pray. These disciples are wearing me out, and I just can’t make the time.”
No, instead, Jesus consistently broke away from the crowds to have an intimate fellowship with God.
Mark 1:35 tells us “Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” Matthew 14:23 says “After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountaintop by Himself to pray.” Luke 5:16 says “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Prayer for Jesus was an established habit— something He was unwilling to skip.
The same was true of Paul. Paul had a habit of going to evangelize and win souls for Christ.
“As was his custom, Paul went to the temple and reasoned with them from the scriptures.” (Acts 17:2). Still, he had trouble making a change needed in his life. “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 7:24, 25).
The answer for all of us is the same.
Yes, Jesus is the One who can change us, who can deliver us, who can set us free. Christ is our source! Christ is our strength. Christ is our healing, Christ is our hope, Christ is the one who makes all things new.
Do you want a new you for a new year? Christ is the one who makes all things new! Through Jesus Christ— not just willpower or self-determination— our lives can indeed be changed. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, they are a new person. The old is gone, and the new has come.”
Don’t be discouraged if change is slow to come. Your good decisions are not wasted. They’re being stored up. One small decision at a time leads to big results. Galatians 6:9 tells us, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”
At LECC we joyfully practice the habit of Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and Wednesday night allage activities at 6:30 p.m. Please join us in acknowledging that no one is too far gone for God. “So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9) God Bless You!
Jeremy Little, Minister
