Originally published: January 16, 2013
Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.
Titus 2:3-5
Love our husbands and children.
Be self-controlled, pure, and kind.
Work at home.
Be submissive to our own husbands.
In other words: ordinary.
I didn’t see anything in there about changing the world or living out great big enormous dreams, did you? I think, often, as 21st century Christian women, the evangelical/church culture can make us feel like we are failures if we don’t have some sort of huge ministry or preach the gospel on the street corner every day. In Titus’ day that sort of thing would have been unbecoming for women. In our culture, women have more opportunities to be involved in various ministries than back then, but we have to remember that God calls us to faithfully serve Him in whatever life circumstances He has put us in. And He has not called the vast majority of us to be ministry superstars or Christian celebrities.
He has called most of us to be ordinary.
Staying home and pouring the gospel into our families or being a gospel influence to others at work or teaching Sunday school or sharing the gospel through volunteer work, etc., though it may be on a small scale in the world’s eyes, is success and faithfulness in God’s eyes. And that’s all that matters.
You’re not failing God if you’re ordinary.
What are some “ordinary” ways you enjoy
serving God and your neighbor?
Michelle Lesley 
I hesitate to say that I “needed to hear this”. Rather, it resonates with me. I want to serve more and I think we should all have that mindset, however I’ve spent too much time sitting in a place of feeling like a failure. Not because I’m not motivated or have the desire but because I’m not clear on where I fit as far as my abilities and talents. I want to be useful and productive. It’s safe to say I was without a doubt planted in my home with my husband and my family equipped with everything I need to serve how I was intended. Perhaps I should just shift my focus there and let it flow outward from our house ❤️
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Thank you for these wise words. Sometimes our primary mission field is in our own homes.
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Thank you for this reminder. Give glory to God in all things in your daily life and be prepared to share Jesus when the situation arises.
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Amen, Mrs. Zelda! :0)
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I agree! I have noticed a trend within the Christian circle of pushing children to “find out what God wants them to do with their lives,” that He has designed them for “greatness.” When there’s nothing disappointing about ordinary living.
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Thank you for this blog. I tend to succumb to the I’m not doing enough mentality. But caring for my husband and home, being involved in my elderly in- laws lives on a regular basis is where God has chosen to place me at this time in my life. I am blessed beyond measure and so thankful to God for His perfect plan for my life
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