Extraordinary

Several weeks ago, I became disgruntled with "the way things were" so to say. I just couldn't believe that God would have us just put in our time, being good humans, good citizens, getting by. Naturally, people around me thought I was having a midlife crisis/clinically depressed/annoying. Yes, I've had a lot of upheaval lately and I entered my mid-thirties (which is not mid-life, Lord willing), but come on. Really? Get up early, put in the work day, watch a little TV, go to bed and start over again the next day? THIS is what we're here for? THIS glorifies God? I don't care how immaculate my house is (which it will never be), I can't imagine that's what God is after in my life. There must be more.

And in one of my particularly introspective moods, the phrase "In relentless pursuit of the extraordinary" popped into my head. Fortunately for me, Hubs has had the same feelings. We don't want to be "normal" and if that offends normal people, so be it. Normal is boring. Normal puts in time on earth in relentless pursuit of death, as far as I'm concerned.

And every since that moment when that phrase entered my mind and I've been searching for my extraordinary, God has confirmed time and time again that I'm on the right path. I'm still searching for my extraordinary, but knowing is half the battle, or so they say.

A couple weeks later, my inbox showed a book available for review from WaterBrook entitled Extraordinary. How about that?

If I described this book as extraordinary, I think I would be accused of overuseage, but if you are searching for something "more" it just might be the thing for you. We weren't meant to be normal. Normal is for the world. If we are no more than normal, what is the point of being a child of God? A believer? What purpose is there to join the ranks? He opens with my thoughts on life as normal, but leads beyond where I knew to go, scripture reference by scripture reference. (The first several scripture references were from The Message which made me rather leery, but he does mix it up with some of the more respected translations the further you get into the book.)

This isn't a book you can read through quickly and still have it sink in. In my experience you have to take small bites and chew on them a while. Or in the words of Disney's movie Aladdin, "Ruminate, whilst I illuminate the possibilities." So I'm still ruminating, but I can see extraordinary on the horizon.

Here's info:

There’s a question that troubles many believers: “Why am I not experiencing more joy, more hope, more satisfaction, more intimacy, more power, more everything in my Christian life--didn’t Jesus promise that?”

He did promise an abundant life, but too many people are trapped by the curse of “the ordinary.” They have accepted the wrong idea that following God means losing individuality, creativity, and a passion for achieving lofty goals.

Nothing could be further from the truth! John Bevere builds a convincing case, straight from Scripture, for a way of living marked by extraordinary experiences and accomplishments—the life God always intended for his children.

Here is a guide to understanding God’s incredible plans, and how to enjoy a life where he adds the “extra” to “ordinary.”

John Bevere is an internationally popular conference speaker, teacher, and author of bestsellers, including The Bait of Satan, Drawing Near, and Driven by Eternity. His award-winning curriculum and books have been translated in over sixty languages and his weekly television program, The Messenger, is broadcast around the world. John and his wife, Lisa—also a bestselling author and speaker—reside with their family in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Visit his ministry website at www.messengerinternational.org.