Extraordinary. It’s a big title that anyone can obtain, but so few reach for. Why? Because it requires doing something EXTRA or going the EXTRA mile.
We all are ordinary people, but for those who dare to strive harder, work longer, think bigger and play fair, to you can be granted the title, Extraordinaire.
We’ve all heard countless stories of those who tried their hands at business, sports or inventions – and failed time and time again. Ordinary people would let failure be their destiny, but it’s those who get up and keep trying and keep working at their crafts, despite the odds, that reach extraordinary results.
The road to extraordinary is a process. During the process there will be;
- agony – extreme disappointment, an unrest where you wonder if it’s even worth it to keep going;
- decision time – when you make a final decision in your heart to give up or keep going; and
- encouragement – for those who keep going, there will be encouragement!
It’s those who make a decision to press through until the end who will see the prize. While travelling this road there will be many people at the stop signs, yield signs and traffic lights. Those who will encourage you and those who will discourage you. That you can count on!
Jesus, our prime example, travelled that exact same road. Would He have been the supreme sacrifice, the ultimate victorious warrior that He is had he given up before Calvary?? Absolutely not! What would have happened had He told God in the Garden of Gethsemane, “I think I’ll quit here. This is as far as I can go.”
The Bible tells us in Luke 22:41 “He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Even for Jesus, the road to extraordinary was tough. Nothing caught Him by surprise. He knew they were going to try Him unjustly, He knew they were going to mock Him, He knew they were going to whip Him without mercy and place a crown of thorns on His head, nail Him to the cross and pierce His side. He knew He was going to have to die physically and go into Satan’s kingdom before being risen with all power in His hand! He was stressed out when He thought about all that He was going to have to suffer to win mankind back to God, so much so that He was sweating blood. Have you ever been so stressed?? His agony. 
However, knowing that He was mankind’s ONLY hope, Jesus said “Not my will, but Yours be done”. His decision.
But God, in His sovereignty sent an angel to encourage and strengthen Christ on to the finish line! Thank you Lord!! His encouragement.
I know for myself that God will encourage you along the way! I remember being extremely stressed about whether or not I was going to continue my business. I knew that God had called me to it, but I was in agony and wondering if I should just quit and go down another road. I had driven to a local grocery store to pick up a few items and I remember before I got out of my car thinking, “This has got to work, it’s what God told me to do.” As I stood in line, the woman ahead of me (she very well could have been an angel – Hebrews 13:2) turned to me and encouraged “my socks off!” She told me how she could see my ministry on me and how God was going to bless it mightily.
If you’re on the road to Extraordinary, let me encourage you to keep going and keep fighting! You’re closer to the finish line than you think! Keep the faith.
Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
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