Pastor Randy did a sweet post called, The family Values of Jesus, that is not quite what you would expect. It’s a part of a sermon series on the “Hard Sayings of Jesus” that he’s doing. Loved the post. Click to read it.
I want to spin-off of that post a little bit, onto the theme of ordinary, a testimony of mine from about a decade ago. I was bobbing about in life somewhat contentedly, when I started having these dreams over and over again. I was standing at the bank of a raging river, fast-moving water, deep, overflowing. The kind of river that makes you go, “uh huh, I won’t be crossing that.” On the other side was a man looking right at me and pointing to his eyes somewhat urgently. A very ordinary looking man, dark hair, a bit brown, completely unremarkable clothing. Nothing stood out about him, except that he was so ordinary, like a fisherman who belonged there, perhaps a bit worn from the elements, perhaps a bit rough about the edges.
The symbolism of that dream is very obvious to my Christian brain today, but at the time it didn’t register at all. Sailed right over my head. All I knew for sure was no ordinary looking man was leading me across no crazy river.
But He did, He did indeed. He led me right across a raging river and I did not drown. Some part of me understood the message because I never took my eyes off of Him, except perhaps during a few anxiety ridden moments of panic. But I did not see Jesus in that symbolism, I did not recognize Him at all.
He was simply too ordinary. Just a man.
My Jesus, or the aspect of Jesus that I knew before, was Holy, clothed in white light, a legion of angels behind Him, and generally levitating about 3 feet off the ground with a halo above Him. Far, far, away from me. He was not the kind of guy who would ever engage in hyperbole, sarcasm, or laugh at any off-color jokes. No gallows humor, no sense of humor at all. You certainly wouldn’t have a beer with Him in a pub. He was the precise opposite of what I call “ordinary.”
At some point I realized, I do love the kinder and gentler side of Jesus, the Holy, the Babe in the Manger, the softness of Jesus Christ with His grace and mercy. I’m not knocking that at all, but no Babe in swaddling clothes is ever going to lead me across a raging river. Jesus was not Someone I could depend on, because babes need to be protected, wrapped in soft things, sheltered from the harshness of the world.
It’s a bit funny, I had some co-dependancy issues going on with the Creator of the universe Himself. I guess if you’re going to do dysfunction, go big or go home. In my mind it was quite clear, I’ll take care of you, not vice versa. I’m a bit of an independent soul. A mom. Defintely a caretaker.
So my family suddenly went in 8 different crazy directions all at once, from in-laws, to my family of origin, from my kids, to my former church family, just everything exploded at once, and I really came to learn the truth behind the words we find in Luke 14:26-27, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
When Jesus is all you have, you really do learn that Jesus is all you need.
My problem was that I so often put way too many things before my own relationship with Jesus Christ, kids, family, husband, work, survival, the desire for people favor. I had always just skipped right passed Luke 14:26-27. Must just be a mistranslation. Guess I just don’t understand it. No good God would ever ask me to choose Him above my own kids! That’s just crazy.
He did exactly that, He made me choose and I suddenly saw the wisdom in His words. Those aren’t mean words at all, they are about our own well-being, our own mental health, our own sanity, and how it impacts those around us. Putting our Lord first, making our relationship with Him our number one priority, is actually also good for those around you.
He is defintely jealous for you.
I eventually got entwined with a Rock, a bit like a barnacle hanging fast when the storm hit, and I’m so grateful for that dream, for God’s perfect timing, for the truth He showed me right when I needed it most. Pre-emptive truth as in, you’re going to need to place your eyes right here. Right now. I see what’s coming long before you do. I am already in your future, waiting on the other side of the river.
Jesus Christ is extra-ordinary, Divine, but don’t miss out on His ordinary. His ordinary is what can help to pull us closer, what can bring about a real revelation such as we see in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
ColorStorm said:
Reminds me of this as the good book sez:
–For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.–
And our response? We hid as it were our faces……..
But ordinary? Ah yes, when we put on different glasses. Colors, perspectives, you name it, all become extraordinary. But you know that already. Heck, it is woven in your posts daily. 😉 good stuff msb.
Btw, love that root out of dry ground….
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insanitybytes22 said:
Amen, Colorstorm! Love that root out of dry ground, myself. 🙂
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oneta hayes said:
IB, your ordinary man is a beautiful symbolism of the man with whom we can identify. In my account of the near death experience (I think in “Why Me, Lord) I tell of seeing a man in a brown suit walk through the room. I’ve always wondered if it was Jesus. I think so, but I’ve not had courage to say so. It fits the “man” you describe. An ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances always able and willing to save. Thanks for sharing this testimony. You are a fantastic witness for him. That’s what he prepared you for, isn’t it?
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insanitybytes22 said:
Amen, Oneta! I do believe you’ve seen Him, too. The man in a brown suit, indeed. Love that. 🙂
A bit funny, I suspect we often think we’re going to encounter a man riding a donkey like a King surrounded by adoring crowds or something. That would certainly get my attention, especially if He showed up in a hospital somewhere. He’d never make it through security, though.
I do believe the Lord has been preparing my testimony. He wants us to know how loved we are, how He is more wonderful then we can even imagine, but I’m just left kind of helplessly trying to say, “Hey guys, God is real.” Words just elude me.
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Michael Wilson said:
Lots to unpack here. Thanks for sending us over to Pastor Randy. That is a real find.
“When Jesus is all you have, you really do learn that Jesus is all you need.” Right on target and so difficult to accept some days.
Be blessed!
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Pastor Randy said:
Well said, as always, in ways that opens our hearts and our eyes. Thanks for the referral!
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lynnabbottstudios said:
What a wonderful testimony, IB! Thank you for sharing your dream and what God taught you. So much truth in this. And truly comforting to know that He is leading us. Love this.
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Rebecca LuElla Miller said:
This reminds me of my own experience realizing Jesus is “ordinary.” When I was in college I was on a team that did street “Sunday School.” To help us, we bought a book of pictures of the life of Christ. It was the best! The picture that made the biggest impression on me was one of Jesus walking with His men, a hand on a shoulder, and laughing. Laughing! Christ? I had never thought about Him laughing before. I’ve never been able to find that picture again, but the artist (actually the artists—a husband and wife team) did illustrations for a children’s Bible, so some have become familiar. I just Googled his name and this page came which shows some of the pictures. http://sacredartpilgrim.com/collection/view/106
And no, these pictures aren’t probably anything like Christ actually looked, but I like them because they make Him look ordinary, with emotion and relationships and personality.
Becky
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insanitybytes22 said:
Ahh, I love those, Becky! Thanks for sharing them. Jesus with “emotion, personality, and relationships.” That’s it exactly. So many of us miss the fact that he became a man like us, and probably a bit more rough around the edges then we often portray him in paintings.
I’m pretty sure Jesus laughed as a man, perhaps often. I can’t be certain if God laughs, but I sure do know He made my laughter possible. 🙂
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Rebecca LuElla Miller said:
I still think the Hooks portrayed Him with pretty straight teeth! 😉
But I do think they captured His humanity better than a lot of “inspirational artists.” I know it helped me to understand Him better. Glad you liked their work.
Becky
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craftysurf said:
🤙
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belovedclaimyourvoice said:
I love your voice Ms. IB. This is a great essay. Thanks for it!
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insanitybytes22 said:
Thank you, much appreciated. 🙂
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