Ordinary People, Extraordinary Callings

“Why me, Lord?”

This question was something I often asked when I first felt called to write, and I still ask that question from time to time. Why would God call ME to write for Him when he made Max Lucado, Rick Warren, Karen Kingsbury, and countless others who are WAY more talented than me?

I am a fairly ordinary guy. I’m middle aged . . . ish . . . with the gut that comes along with that. But I like cookies more than broccoli, so whatever. I go to work, eat, watch TV, sleep. I find typos in books, on signs, and on social media posts and get aggravated about them (oops, that means I’m a writer).

In studying for my children’s church lesson for this week, I had an “A-HA” moment: God specializes in using ordinary people to do extraordinary things to fulfill His purposes.

Take Mary, for example. By all accounts, she was just a normal girl, dedicated to serving God and pledged to marry a regular guy, yet God sent a messenger from Heaven to tell her she was THE chosen one to be the mother of His Son. Mary was quite flabbergasted at first but accepted her calling, saying “let it be to me according to Your word.”

An ordinary girl doing an extraordinary thing for the Lord.

Then there was Joseph. Can you imagine what this carpenter felt when his fiancé told him what was happening? He wanted to “put Mary away” until God sent His messenger to clarify Joseph’s mission as Jesus’ earthly father.

A simple man with an extraordinary calling from God.

You may feel God is calling you to write something extraordinary, to step out of your comfort zone. The key is to say “Yes” like Mary and Joseph did. A few years ago, I felt God calling me to write devotions.

Who me? I’m not a devotional writer! I have never written anything like that! I eventually said “Yes,” and look what God has done! A book and several other featured devotionals later, I can reflect on how God has used me in this area.

An ordinary guy writing stuff with an extraordinary purpose for God.

Feeling ordinary today? Just say “Yes” to the One who designed you for extraordinary things. Like Mary, when God calls, respond with “let it be to me according to Your word.”

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.