An Extraordinary Life
“I have brought You glory on the earth, by completing the work which You have given Me to do.”
John 17:4
Never underestimate an ordinary life. One who isn’t successful in the world’s eye—A shoe salesmen, a homemaker, a barber, a restaurant server, a grocery store clerk—God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary work in this world. Take for instance the following story of Edward Kimball. Quite possibly, you’re asking yourself at this moment, who in the heck is Edward Kimball? Allow me to explain.
Edward Kimball was a dry goods salesman in Boston. A simple ordinary man. However, every Sunday morning at church, Kimball taught a Sunday School class to a group of young teenage boys. He had a particular burden for one of these young men. So one day, Kimball mustered up the courage to reach the young man at his work. He was nervous and scared. He paced back and forth before entering the store where the young man worked. Placing his hand on the young mans shoulder, Kimball shared the gospel message of Jesus Christ with the young man. However, Kimball left the young man’s work thinking he botched his mission.
Little did Kimball know, later that night, this young boy would personally invite Christ into his life, and went on to become one of the greatest evangelists. His name was D.L. Moody. On June 17, 1873 D.L. Moody arrived in Liverpool, England to conduct a series of evangelistic crusades. A struggling young minister who was in the audience was so influenced by Moody’s message that his life and ministry was impacted and transformed. His name was J. Wilbur Chapman.
J. Wilbur Chapman went on to become a powerful traveling evangelist in the early 1900’s. He came in contact with a retired professional baseball player, and under Chapman’s mentoring, Billy Sunday went on to become one of the greatest evangelists of his time in American history.
Over time, Billy Sunday’s travels led him to Charlotte, NC where he held a campaign speaking to thousands. A group of businessmen who were in the audience became followers of Jesus Christ and began a prayer group that would impact not only their life, but their local community in Charlotte, N.C. In October 1934, this group of local businessmen invited an evangelist who’s name was Mordecai Ham to hold a crusade in the local area. On October 8, Mordecai Ham was discouraged, and he wrote a prayer to God on the stationery at his Charlotte, N.C. hotel: “Lord, give us a revival here. … Pour out thy Spirit tomorrow. ”
On October 9, 1934 his prayer was answered as a young teenage boy from Central high school went to hear Mordecai Ham. That night, he gave his life to become a follower of Jesus Christ. That young boy’s name was Billy Graham!—who went on to become the greatest evangelist in American history and around the world.
The faithful obedience of Edward Kimball, a simple ordinary dry foods salesman in Boston led to countless lives being impacted and changed for eternity all around the world. One life touching another. Edward Kimball > D.L. Moody > J. Wilbur Chapman > Billy Sunday > Local business leaders in Charlotte, NC > Mordecai Ham > Billy Graham.
God takes ordinary people and does extraordinary things in them and through them. He doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called. I encourage you today to never underestimate God’s ability to use you in the life of others. All He is looking for is willing heart to say “I have brought You glory on the earth by completing the work which You have given me to do.”
Live your life with the end in mind. You won’t regret it!
Love God, Love People, Live Sent!
Be Worth Being,
Kevin
Kevin Burrell has worked in professional baseball as both a player and MLB scout for the past 43 years, and currently serves as an area scouting supervisor. Kevin was drafted in the 1st round of the 1981 free agent amateur draft (25th selection overall), and played ten years of professional baseball with four different organizations. He and his wife, Valerie, live in Sharpsburg, Ga.