“. . . It had a wall around, five hundred cubits long and five hundred wide,
to separate the holy areas from the common.”
Ezekiel 42:20
Keeping what is holy and what is common separate is of utmost importance to the Lord. He said “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” to the Israelites. (Leviticus 19:2) Paul tells us that we “are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in [us]” (1 Corinthians 3:16) Based on just these three scriptures, we ought to consider also keeping a wide birth between ourselves and “what is common.”
I say this though, and realize that in the temple, the non-priest worshippers were common people. So how do we marry these things together to identify the Lord’s truth, knowing that scripture never contradicts scripture? I think we must refer to the saying derived from 1 John 2:15, which is to be in the world, but not of the world. The world is common; the majority of people following like sheep whatever the latest trends are – are common. Whether one is male or female, living a fast-paced city life or dwelling in a jungle tribe, people commonly follow the majority crowd. Yet we are called, as God’s children, to live extraordinary lives. Why would we want to live a common life when we have an exceptional experience waiting for us?
I would much rather live a truly fascinating life, by keeping myself from things that are common. Wouldn’t you? How much time do we waste trying to keep up with the latest fads? Whether it be hairstyles, clothes, barbecues, or landscaping there is always something “everyone” else is doing. Keeping track of all of this is a waste of time and resources. The chase wears us out and wears us down. Why spend all of our energy and resources on chasing the common, when it costs nothing but obedience to the Lord to attain the extraordinary.
People lined the streets when Peter was coming through town in hopes that his shadow might touch them and they would be healed. (Acts 5:15) “Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.” (Act 8:13) There are so many other examples in the Bible of people living extraordinary lives. Yes, I’m sure it cost them in other ways to live these amazing lives for God, but one thing is for sure. They would not have traded it for what was common. Neither should we.
Take time to pray as you do your devotions this week. (I hope you are devoting time to God daily.) Ask the Lord to point out what is common in your life. Ask Him to show you the dead weight that is dragging you down spiritually into a common existence. Ask Him to show you what you need to do to achieve the extraordinary.
May the Lord bless you with a spiritual sense of adventure that will draw you into a life that is less common. I wish you an extraordinary life.