Embracing the Divine in Our Ordinary Lives

 

Summary

In today's reflection, we delve into the profound insights of Dallas Willard, exploring the concept of ordinariness and its divine significance. We all grapple with the fear of being ordinary, a fear that can drive us to extremes in our quest for significance. Dallas Willard poignantly notes that to be ordinary is to be more of the same, a notion that can feel agonizing. Yet, this fear of ordinariness is not aligned with God's intention for us. The struggle for worthiness and significance is universal, affecting people at all stages of life. Whether in personal relationships or professional settings, the desire to matter is a fundamental human concern.

Psychologist Terence Real offers a perspective on self-esteem, suggesting that healthy self-esteem is about being "same as" rather than "one up" or "one down." The "one down" position is characterized by shame and self-criticism, while the "one up" position is marked by grandiosity and a sense of superiority. Both positions are detrimental, leading us away from the truth that we are all equally valued by God. The key is to embrace our ordinariness as a vessel for the divine, recognizing that everything is connected and valued by God.

Dallas Willard's insight that the ordinary is a receptacle of the divine challenges us to see the extraordinary in the commonplace. Everything, including ourselves, is of remarkable worth because it is created and loved by God. This understanding frees us from the need to compare ourselves to others, allowing us to appreciate the unique qualities in ourselves and those around us. By letting go of comparisons, we can truly see and value the remarkable uniqueness in each person we encounter.

As we navigate our daily lives, let us strive to be neither "one up" nor "one down," but rather "one more" among others. This perspective aligns with the incarnation, where the divine becomes present in the ordinary. Today, let us look for the divine in creation, in our own bodies, and especially in the lives of those we meet.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Fear of Being Ordinary: Our fear of ordinariness can drive us to extremes in seeking significance. Yet, this fear is not aligned with God's intention for us. Embracing our ordinariness as a vessel for the divine allows us to find true worth and significance. [00:30]

2. Healthy Self-Esteem: Terence Real's concept of "same as" self-esteem encourages us to avoid the pitfalls of shame and grandiosity. By recognizing our equal value with others, we can cultivate a healthier self-view and appreciate the unique qualities in ourselves and others. [02:09]

3. The Divine in the Ordinary: Dallas Willard's insight that the ordinary is a receptacle of the divine challenges us to see the extraordinary in the commonplace. Everything is connected and valued by God, freeing us from the need for comparison. [05:21]

4. Embracing Uniqueness: While we are all of the same worth, we are not the same as anyone else. Our unique qualities are precious to God, and recognizing this allows us to appreciate the remarkable uniqueness in each person we encounter. [07:17]

5. Living as "One More": By letting go of comparisons, we can live as "one more" among others, neither "one up" nor "one down." This perspective aligns with the incarnation, where the divine becomes present in the ordinary, enriching our interactions and relationships. [08:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - The Fear of Being Ordinary
- [00:59] - Struggle for Significance
- [01:27] - Ultimate Concerns in Psychology
- [02:09] - Healthy Self-Esteem: "Same As"
- [02:55] - The Pitfalls of Shame and Grandiosity
- [03:43] - Manipulative Self-Deprecation
- [04:19] - Inflated vs. Deflated Self
- [05:07] - The Divine Conspiracy
- [05:35] - The Ordinary as Divine Receptacle
- [06:06] - Connectedness and Value
- [06:49] - Embracing Our Ordinariness
- [07:29] - Uniqueness and Divine Worth
- [08:26] - Living Without Comparison
- [09:11] - The Incarnation and Divine Presence
- [09:42] - Closing Remarks and Resources

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 1:27 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."
2. Psalm 139:14 - "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 - "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what does Dallas Willard mean by the "ordinary" being a receptacle of the divine? [05:21]

2. How does Terence Real describe the "one up" and "one down" positions in terms of self-esteem? [02:09]

3. What does the sermon suggest is the universal struggle related to worthiness and significance? [01:13]

4. How does the concept of "same as" self-esteem differ from the "one up" and "one down" positions? [02:09]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the idea that "everything is connected and valued by God" change a person's perspective on their own life and the lives of others? [06:06]

2. In what ways does the fear of being ordinary conflict with the biblical understanding of being created in God's image? [00:59]

3. How does the sermon’s perspective on ordinariness challenge societal views on success and significance? [05:21]

4. What does it mean to live as "one more" among others, and how does this relate to the concept of the incarnation? [08:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt the need to be "extraordinary." How did that affect your relationships and self-view? How might embracing ordinariness change that? [00:59]

2. Consider the "one up" and "one down" positions. Which do you find yourself gravitating towards more often, and how can you work towards a "same as" self-esteem? [02:09]

3. How can you practice seeing the divine in the ordinary aspects of your daily life, such as in your work or interactions with others? [05:21]

4. Identify a unique quality in yourself that you often overlook. How can you begin to appreciate this quality as a gift from God? [07:17]

5. Think of someone in your life who you often compare yourself to. How can you shift your perspective to appreciate their uniqueness without feeling "one up" or "one down"? [07:43]

6. How can you actively remind yourself of your worth in God's eyes, especially when faced with feelings of inadequacy or grandiosity? [06:49]

7. What practical steps can you take this week to live as "one more" among others, embracing both your ordinariness and uniqueness? [08:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Ordinariness as Divine

In a world that often glorifies the extraordinary, the fear of being ordinary can drive individuals to seek significance in unhealthy ways. This fear, however, is not aligned with God's intention for humanity. Embracing ordinariness as a vessel for the divine allows individuals to find true worth and significance. Recognizing that everything, including oneself, is of remarkable worth because it is created and loved by God, frees one from the need to compare oneself to others. This understanding encourages appreciation of the unique qualities in oneself and those around them. By letting go of comparisons, one can truly see and value the remarkable uniqueness in each person they encounter. [00:30]

"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel the pressure to be extraordinary? How can you invite God to help you embrace your ordinariness today?


Day 2: Cultivating Healthy Self-Esteem

Terence Real's concept of "same as" self-esteem encourages individuals to avoid the pitfalls of shame and grandiosity. The "one down" position is characterized by shame and self-criticism, while the "one up" position is marked by grandiosity and a sense of superiority. Both positions are detrimental, leading individuals away from the truth that all are equally valued by God. By recognizing equal value with others, individuals can cultivate a healthier self-view and appreciate the unique qualities in themselves and others. This perspective fosters a sense of community and connectedness, aligning with the divine intention for humanity. [02:09]

"For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned." (Romans 12:3, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent interaction where you felt "one up" or "one down." How can you approach similar situations with a "same as" mindset in the future?


Day 3: Discovering the Divine in the Ordinary

Dallas Willard's insight that the ordinary is a receptacle of the divine challenges individuals to see the extraordinary in the commonplace. Everything is connected and valued by God, freeing individuals from the need for comparison. This understanding invites individuals to look for the divine in creation, in their own bodies, and especially in the lives of those they meet. By recognizing the divine presence in the ordinary, individuals can enrich their interactions and relationships, aligning with the incarnation where the divine becomes present in the ordinary. [05:21]

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." (Psalm 19:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: As you go about your day, take a moment to notice something ordinary around you. How can you see God's presence in it?


Day 4: Celebrating Unique Qualities

While all individuals are of the same worth, they are not the same as anyone else. Each person's unique qualities are precious to God, and recognizing this allows individuals to appreciate the remarkable uniqueness in each person they encounter. This perspective encourages individuals to celebrate diversity and foster a sense of belonging within their communities. By valuing the unique qualities in themselves and others, individuals can create a more inclusive and loving environment, reflecting God's love for all creation. [07:17]

"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who has unique qualities you admire. How can you express appreciation for their uniqueness today?


Day 5: Living as "One More" Among Others

By letting go of comparisons, individuals can live as "one more" among others, neither "one up" nor "one down." This perspective aligns with the incarnation, where the divine becomes present in the ordinary, enriching interactions and relationships. Embracing this mindset allows individuals to foster a sense of community and connectedness, recognizing that everyone is equally valued by God. This understanding encourages individuals to live authentically and compassionately, reflecting God's love in their daily lives. [08:43]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a relationship where you often feel the need to compare yourself. How can you practice being "one more" in that relationship today?

Quotes


All of us have a fear of being ordinary and here's what Dallas writes to be ordinary is to be only more of the same the human being screams against this from its every poor to be just another one of those is deadening Agony for us indeed it actually drives some people to their deaths it was never God's intention for anyone. [00:00:38]

One of the authors that I like in the field of psychology is a guy named yalum he's not a Christian but he says there's these ultimate concerns that we bring any client who comes in for any reason that they think they're going to be there ultimately if you begin to work uh on growth they'll have similar concerns and one of the Cardinal concerns is is meaning and significance. [00:01:18]

There's a book on marriage that he wrote this new guy on it's called us and he talks about the stance of a healthy self-esteem is what he calls same as but that in dealing with the problems of living that what he sees over and over is that humans will either go into one of two directions uh shame which he calls the one down position where you're you're self-critical and you're thinking negatively about yourself and I'm a failure and have terrible self-talk and people can be very ruthless about themselves John as you know on that side. [00:02:17]

The other side which he thinks gets less attention but should get more attention is what he calls the one up position um where and he he thinks of that as the counter to shame is grandiosity that we'll think of ourselves as one up better than kind of comparison I'm kind of a competitive person so I'll I'll I'll just see that see you know surging in me and and in some ways I like to have that kind of notion that I'm not better than others. [00:02:49]

The obviously well-kept secret of the ordinary is that it is made to be a receptacle of the Divine place where the life of God flows the obviously well-kept secret of the ordinary and then he goes on to write about how um apart from the Creator and God never intended us to look at reality especially people apart from the Creator the ordinary truly is so ordinary and commonplace it's of little interest or value. [00:05:26]

Everything is connected and the reason that everything is connected is that everything was made by God and is loved by God and valued and prized by God and that's why everything has a remarkable worth you know the old definition of justice is to treat a thing according to its value to treat a thing according to its worth and ultimately if there is a God and God has created everything then everything is supremely of interest to him and supremely valued because it has bestowed worth because he made it and he loves it and that's true especially a people. [00:06:06]

I am ordinary I don't have to make myself extraordinary if I'm trying to make myself extraordinary by being smarter or more attractive or stronger the grandiosity option that's grandiosity and and there um it's always comparative it seems like yes and I'm always trying to make myself more that way whereas if I can just receive it uh I'm of the same worth as everybody but I'm not the same as anybody you're not the same as anybody. [00:06:42]

There's a way in which we're the same as everybody that we're uh we're all human but there's a way in which you are different from everybody and that difference about you is precious to God um but part of what happens when we get it right is then as I walk through the day today I don't have to compare myself or my intelligence or success or anything else to any other person and if I can let go of worrying about that with me then I can actually look at you and see what's remarkable unique wonderful about you how can I prize that and that's such a better way to live. [00:07:27]

Take a deep breath right now get ready as you meet with people I will not be one up today with anybody not the lowest person I will not be one down today not with anybody not the most impressive wealthiest person I will simply be one more and and really what this moves to in Dallas writes about it is the notion of the Incarnation what Jesus teaches us is the word became flesh God is somehow present and that's what makes things alive and pulsing with beauty and worth the ordinary was meant to be the receptacle of the Divine ordinary is extraordinary it is extraordinary. [00:08:43]

Look for that today look for it in creation look for it in this moment look for it in your own body but especially in the lives of people that you see yeah a lot better love see you next time. [00:09:25]

We hope that these videos help you to grow spiritually one day at a time if you'd like to find some more resources you can go to our website become new.com there you can sign up for the daily emails that go along with each video you can also access our full library of videos I think there's like over 400 videos there on spiritual life and growth and you can let us know if you're interested in some of the upcoming leadership resources that we are preparing if you've got a prayer request would love to pray for you let us know at 855-88-044 we take those requests really seriously and we pray for them every day. [00:09:37]

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Transcript
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