The Power of the Ordinary

Last week, I wrote about how we should appreciate the ordinary things of life. We should appreciate and celebrate, the things of life that are often overlooked, devalued, or taken for granted. There is much power in the “the little things” of life. God tells us in His Word through the prophet Zechariah that, "we should not despise the day of small things" (Zechariah 4:10). Little things and humble beginnings can become monumental to God.

Jesus told a parable recorded in Matthew 13:30-32, which teaches this very thing. He said, “the Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed which a man planted in his field.” The mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, but it grows into a tree, larger than the other plants in the garden. It has a very small beginning, but actually has greater significance than when it first appears. Such is the power of little things.

Power in the little things

Consider also, one of the best-known miracles that Jesus performed. There were 5,000 men gathered to hear Jesus teach, plus a large number of women and children. They stayed so long that they needed to be fed. The only food available was the lunch that one little boy had brought. He had five loaves of bread and two fish. It wasn’t much, only lunch for one little boy. Yet Jesus took the insignificant amount of food, and was able to feed the thousands who were gathered there. They all had plenty to eat, were full, and there was even food left over. There is power in little things!

just a sack lunch

One aspect of that story is never talked about. Have you ever wondered why that one little boy had a lunch, but nobody else did? I suppose it is possible that he just decided to grab some food on the way out of the door, but I don’t think that is the most logical explanation. It seems to me that it is more likely that his mother took time to pack him a lunch before he left, just in case he needed it. Fixing a sack lunch is not a big deal, until it becomes the means of a miracle!

This story makes me think of something similar that is often considered insignificant, but has tremendous impact. In many circles today, there doesn’t seem to be much value placed on those who stay home and who are involved in homemaking and raising children. There is little praise given to what is perhaps the most impactful role in society. When is the last time you considered washing clothes, keeping a home clean, neat, orderly, safe, and comfortable, or preparing meals for a family to be really important contributions to society. Many believe that becoming a doctor, lawyer, engineer, accountant, or entrepreneur is the way to make a contribution to society. Investing one’s talents and energies in the home and children is considered a “little” accomplishment compared to achievements in the marketplace, yet nothing could be further from the truth.

ordinary but monumental

Investing in the lives of the next generation is the most impactful thing we can do. Every good parent hopes to do this, yet our culture does not assign the appropriate value to those who actually succeed. Cleaning a bathroom, washing clothes, or fixing a child’s lunch may seem ordinary and insignificant, but it is monumental to God! These “humble investments” in the lives of children will grow into significance in the years to come. The end product will far exceed what might be imagined! There is power in the ordinary!