What inspires this post isn't the story, but rather the author.
Luke is not a run of the mill author for the Bible. He was a Gentile (non-Jew) and a physician (not a rabbi or priest). So why did he pen an account of Christ's life that would come to be known as one of the four gospels, the books opening and proclaiming the New Testament?
He wasn't well versed in the scriptures (he knew medicine and research in detail, not Jewish customs or the Laws of Moses). He was rather common. He had a job, maybe a family. He had a community and people who looked up to him. In some ways he could have been the savior for his town with his knowledge of healing.
But he surrendered. He left his job, his knowledge, his comfort in the common to learn and embrace the new being taught. He researched the customs and laws. He followed Christ until his death. He used his background in research and passion to learn to penned one of the most accurate, logical and structured accounts of Christ's life and later the books of Acts, the foundation for the modern day church. God used him. He used his skills, his talents and his life to make an impact.
God used him. He was used by God even though minister wasn't in his title. Christ walked 3 years along side him and God let him experience and write on the power of the Holy Spirit. I don't know why God chose such a man, but I am grateful He did. Luke is filled with inspirational accounts. I have learned truly praising God through Mary's song (Luke 1:46-55) and the beauty of the Laws of Moses (Luke 2:22-23). I feel I have walked along side the healings (Luke 5:17-26, 7:11-17, 7:26, and 8:40-56) and the sacrifice when the jar was broken to anoint Christ's feet (Luke 7:36-50). I am inspired and indebted to Luke all at once. And now learning that it was an act of surrender to allow God to use the common parts of his life only brings more encouragement to me that I can be used for the kingdom. That God can teach, mold, make and grow me where I am. Luke shows me that God can use the common. He can use me.
And God can use you too. More importantly, he wants to use you. And not in a cookie-cutter fashion. But he wants to use you in your job. As insurance agents. Therapists. Teachers. Full time moms. Writers. Doctors. Pastors. Baristas. Cashiers. Engineers. Musicians. He wants to use us where we are.
The common man has a place in the kingdom. Not just a place or a role, but a uniquely designed space that only can be filled by them. By Luke. By me. By you.
There wasn't an application to belong to God. There wasn't a quota to fill. It never became full. And the same is true today.
This year I have been introduced to the beauty in the common life and grown to trust that God can use me wherever I am and whatever I do. It truly has been the greatest gift to receive the truth that God can use me for his kingdom, regardless of job titles. I encourage you during this Christmas season, give one gift to yourself. Embrace God and ask Him to reveal to you how He wants to use you right where you are. I am praying for you, even though I might not know who you are. I am praying that God reveals Himself to you and that you embrace your unique spot in the kingdom. Because God wants to use us, commonness and all.
