I just made it to the New Testament on my way through the Bible. It’s only taken me four years to get through the Old Testament in my Chronological Bible on top of my other books and studies. Not bad when you consider it took the Israelites 40 years in the desert!!

As I was reading through the study portion of my Bible, I was reminded again of the 400 years of silence the Israelites had from God. There was nothing. Then, one day, in the midst of this silence, as Zechariah’s division was working at the temple of the LORD, he was chosen to go into the temple and burn incense.

Then, an angel appeared to him.

Zechariah was doing what he was called to do, he was in a place to listen, and God spoke to him through an angel.

Do you know what my study Bible pointed out in the ever so small print under this story? Most people go their entire lives living everyday lives when they have one extraordinary moment. Then, after that moment of decision is over, you usually don’t hear about them again because they have gone back to doing their everyday living.

That’s how we see Zechariah in Luke, chapter 1. He is working his daily job, is greeted by an angel, doesn’t talk until John the Baptist is born, and then that’s it.

Does this mean that most of us are simple people who don’t make much of a difference in this world? Actually, I think it means just the opposite.

Our everyday lives matter tremendously. Why? Because there will be at least one day when your everyday life will place you in the very position needed for an extraordinary moment.

Zechariah’s extraordinary moment brought about John the Baptist, the one who paved the way for and baptized Jesus.

One moment. One extraordinary decision made during routine life and life is different for many people.

If you are reading this today, know this: your life still matters. You still have work to do. You might feel your life is ordinary, but you have something extraordinary inside of you. Don’t take that lightly!

You matter today. You matter everyday.

Live like your life matters.

Until next time…

© 2018 Susan M. Sims

Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net/radnatt

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