Many people look at those in leadership as if they are made out of different stuff than everyone else. Somehow they have what it takes. They are wired differently. They have connections, even with God, that no one else is privy to.

The truth is God only uses ordinary people. He takes broken and dysfunctional lives and makes them into something astounding. That’s His specialty! My life is certainly testimony to that. (Well, at least the broken, dysfunctional part… on the way to astounding!) I am about as ordinary as they come. In fact, I am so ordinary you could say I’m extra-ordinary—Meaning, more ordinary than most. Not particularly gifted. No charismatic personality. No blazing talents. Pretty plain really.

The cool thing is God likes the way He made me. (I used to loathe who I was and long to be somebody—anybody—different. That’s the enemy’s lie, the script he wants you to read from.) God isn’t looking for great people. He’s looking for people He can make great. He particularly likes to take people who don’t have a whole lot going for them, like me, and do something fantastic.

It’s a journey, for sure. It centers on pursuing God for who He is—He loves to be pursued! And amazingly, He transforms us “into His likeness with ever-increasing glory” (2 Cor. 3:18). In Him, you are—and will become—more than you ever dreamed of.

So when you see those who have Godly characteristics you admire, glean from them, bless them, honor them, and know that they are ordinary people who are living testimonies of God’s grace and goodness. And also know that in this hour God is raising up a generation of ordinary people who will change the world. And know that He wants you to be in that company of people He is raising up. People who will be influencers in society and culture. People who will positively affect businesses. People who will generate powerful ideas. People who are changing neighborhoods, shaping regions, and transforming nations. If you are ordinary, you qualify. With God, all things are possible.

“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” (1 Cor. 1:26-29)