His name keeps popping up in books and blog posts: Andrew Murray.
His words are thought-provoking:
- “Never try to arouse faith from within. You cannot stir up faith from the depths of your heart. Leave your heart, and look into the face of Christ.”
- “Abiding fully means praying much.”
- “Just as water ever seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds you abased and empty, His glory and power flow in.”
So who was this deeply thoughtful man, Andrew Murray(1828-1917)? Did his conversion experience turn him around 180 degrees like Paul’s? Did he face great danger like David or Daniel? Did he impact throngs of people with his preaching like Jonah or John the Baptist?
No. According to the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (www.ccel.org), Andrew grew up in a Christian home. No spectacular transformation from unbeliever to saint.
His father was a Scottish Presbyterian minister who served in the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa. Andrew became a pastor himself and served several pastorates, also in South Africa.
Andrew helped found two schools, made several evangelistic tours of South Africa, and received an honorary doctorate for his contributions to world missions. Today he is best known for his devotional writings, found in the 240 publications to his credit.
Not a shabby list of accomplishments, but Andrew faced no giants or lions. There are no cliff-hanger stories to tell about him. He simply served God faithfully where he was.
No doubt there are some who would skim-read such a biography, yawn, and seek more exciting stories–Adoniram Judson’s or David Livingstone’s.
Andrew Murray may have written some thoughtful books and essays, but let’s face it. His life-story borders on ho-hum ordinary.
But wait. The Bible and annals of history are overflowing with the stories of ordinary people such as:
- Jethro, a shepherd. Yet his wisdom greatly assisted his son-in-law–Moses (Exodus 18:1-27).
- Mordecai, a captive. However, he was in the right place at the right time to hear of a plot against the Jews (the book of Esther).
- Lydia, a dealer in fine purple cloth and dye. She just happened to provide housing for Paul and Silas, and became the first convert—in all of Europe (Acts 16).
No doubt these people considered themselves just ordinary folk. But God used them in astonishing ways.
The truth is, there is no such thing as an ordinary person in God’s kingdom.
So, guess who’s talking when that voice in your head whispers, “You are a nobody. You aren’t accomplishing anything worthwhile in your life.”
It’s not God!
He placed within each of us wondrous, unique gifts. Would God do that if we were worthless?
Second, he placed us within a circle of influence that includes family, neighbors, friends, church acquaintances, business contacts, and more. (And let’s not forget the ripple effect.)
Third, God provides opportunities within that circle for us to use our gifts, be a blessing to others, and bring him praise.
So whether God ordains you or me to be a leader or follower, a platform personality or a behind-the-scenes helper, a larger-than-life Paul, or a lesser-known Andrew Murray, we each have a unique niche to fill—especially designed by God himself.
“For we are God’s workmanship,
(Think of it—we are the handiwork of the Master Designer!)
Created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
(Works that will bring glory to God and supreme satisfaction to our hearts.)
which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).”
(Availing ourselves to what he’s prepared results in supremely worthwhile accomplishment.)
* * * * * * * * * *
Thank you, Father, for gifting each of us with unique abilities to fulfill your specially designed plans. Thank you that in your kingdom there is no such thing as ho-hum ordinary, because you, the Master of the universe only create masterpieces! May our joy be centered in faithfully completing the works you have prepared for each of us.
Art and photo credits: www.newparadigmthinkers.wordpress.com; http://www.dayofgrace.me.)
From the Inside Out 