Ordinary Means

This past Sunday I had the honor of baptizing little Viviana. This baptism was extra special because I have known Viviana’s mom, Larissa since she was about 13 years old. On top of that, I had the privilege of marrying her and now husband, Raul, 3 years ago. Last week I wrote about being ordinary and I thought through how embracing our ordinariness may be the most extraordinary thing we can do.

This all came full circle for me this past Sunday morning as I was setting up for Vivian’s baptism.

I got up early as I do every Sunday. I got my usual decaf americano with steamed oat milk, Good ‘n Fit bar, and a dozen kolaches for the band from the same café that I go to every Sunday. When I got to church, I went into the kitchenette and got out an ordinary bowl, and filled it with ordinary tap water.

As we worked our way through the service Viviana’s parents brought her up to the fount. I read some scripture. I said a prayer. Then I poured the ordinary tap water over her head as I said these simple words,

“Viviana, I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.”

Then I said another prayer and the church applauded as we welcomed Viviana into God’s family. Her mom and dad each wiped a tear of joy from their faces as they held their beautiful baby girl in front of our church family. After that, they sat down, and we went along with the rest of the service.

As I look back on the day it was an ordinary Sunday. There wasn’t a huge show. There was no special pomp and circumstance.

There was some water and there was God’s word.

I find comfort in knowing God uses ordinary things like water and bread and wine and words to do extraordinary things. To most people, all that happened on Sunday was the fact that water was poured over a toddler’s head while a pastor said some words from a book.

But that is not what heaven witnessed. God’s heavenly hosts were rejoicing as God’s kingdom grew by one citizen that day. The devil scowled as he lost his grip on one more soul. This wasn’t done by extraordinary means. It was done by ordinary means.

Lukewarm tap water and the Word of God.  

You may be discouraged by the ordinariness of your life. But I want to assure you that God is not. It is often in and through the most ordinary places, seasons, and experiences God does his most extraordinary work. So, maybe this week instead of looking for God in the big and flashy things (yes, I believe he works through those means as well), keep your eyes open as you are doing the dishes, driving to work, or taking out the trash. Ask God to give you eyes to see how he is moving in and through the ordinariness of your extraordinarily ordinary life.

Grace and peace ‘til we rise in glory.