Higher Than Average

Acts 6:5 – And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. (KJV)

Throughout my school life, I heard consistently from my teacher's words to my mother, "Rosemary is a little above average." I was never considered bright or gifted, just "a little above average". Apart from English and Religious Instruction, my top-of-the-class subjects were of a practical nature: sewing, home economics, and swimming, so I became comfortably used to my label, "a little above average," until I started work. Then I began to grow in efficiency and time use, as well as speed, which earned me financial bonuses.

Our God rewards His children with a life above the average, and not just "a little". Like Stephen in today's Scripture, we can be full of faith and full of the Holy Spirit. We can have that same zeal, that same power of the Holy Spirit. It is there for the asking. God loves us to ask of Him His gifts, benefits, and attributes.

Is our God the same God Whom Stephen and all the apostles worshipped? Oh, yes! Should we live at a level lower than average in seeking and receiving from our gloriously generous God? Do we want to be left behind in God's free gifts, or grace?

Our God is always perfectly fair and just and most willing to give to each of His children their full share. He wants to, and can turn the most ordinary of us into extraordinary, when His children so desire. He always invites without pressure, and never loves us less.

Under the Holy Spirit's anointing, "Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." (Acts 6:8 KJV)

As we grow in God, so we become enlarged in our capacity of understanding, which presents us with more open doors of service, and godly conduct and actions, far higher than ordinary or average living.

Beloved, this year, we can live our lives, being continually transformed into shining lights in the kingdom of God. Let us let our lights so shine, leaving them on permanently, that others can easily follow.

Prayer: Blessed, powerful Holy Spirit, thank You for Your willingness to fill us, and to gift us with Your higher-than-average gifts and kingdom life of righteousness, peace, and joy, in Jesus' altogether loving name. Amen and Amen!