The Holy & The Common

I am really wrestling with this concept this morning. I believe the word “Holy” is a special word. Holy means dedicated or consecrated to God for His purpose. The word “common” on the other hand is something that is “ordinary, without special rank; familiar”. As I was ready Ezekiel this am, I was reminded that in the Old Testament there was a distinct difference between the Holy & the common.   Ezekiel is sharing the measurements for the rooms for the priests who serve in the temple. There were some special provisions just for them. Check this out….

14 Once the priests enter the holy precincts, they are not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people.’

20 So he measured the area on all four sides. It had a wall round it, five hundred cubits long and five hundred cubits wide, to separate the holy from the common. (Ezekiel 42:14, 20 NIV)

Holy is special – Common is normal.

Holy is set apart – Common is every day.

Holy is The Lord – Common is me.

I do believe that the Lord takes “common” and makes it Holy. These priests were regular human beings, but their lives were “set apart” for serving the Lord. I believe Jesus coming to earth brought the Holy and “the common” together in a sense. He came, not with fanfare, pomp and circumstance – he was born of a virgin, a “common” person. His birth was announced to shepherds, not the “movers and shakers” of the town. Shepherds were common. As Jesus started His ministry here on earth, He chose fishermen & tax collectors to mentor and disciple. He didn’t choose “holy religious leaders”. He chose the common.

When Jesus came, the Holy and the Common collide. Maybe it should be normal and common to be Holy as I give The Lord the ability to take over my heart and life. Christ in me makes me Holy and Common!

Pressing On!

Dwayne