“In the fullness of time…” Paul wrote, “…God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law (Galatians 4:4-5).  What was the “fullness” of time?  Why and how was the time just right?

     First, several innovative conditions in the Greco-Roman world unified the nations and population groups.  There was the construction of roads that made travel faster and easier.  Also the Greeks made their language common in every nation.  These two innovations especially made the ancient world smaller and prepared for the quick spread of the gospel of Christ.

     The second answer to the above questions was the spiritual condition in the world and especially in Israel.  After the last of the prophets, God was silent for 400 years.  The faith of the Hebrews sank to a religion of graceless legalism run by oppressive clergy.   But as my seminary professor stated often, “God always has a remnant”.  In spite of the spiritual darkness, God always has a few common people with a heart for himself to accomplish his plan or purpose.  Two common people, Mary and Joseph, had perfect lineages, fell in love, and had a heart after God.  They were, by every appearance, a common couple that evoked a “who-would’ve-thought” response by onlookers.  Likewise, the shepherds were not only common but deemed unclean and even unworthy.  Yet they were invited by God to the nursery of the manger as the first visitor-witnesses to the glory of his redemptive plan.

     If you feel rather common, so did Mary and Joseph till the angels showed up.  If you feel common and unworthy, so did the shepherds till the angels showed up.  If so, you are in good company if you have a heart for God.  Never forget that God prefers the common, ordinary and unworthy to accomplish his great and glorious purposes.  When you follow the Savior, “born in the fullness of time”, you’ll discover that you too were born in the fullness of time for his glory and praise.  He will make your common life uncommon—a life you could never have imagined.     Growing up in the shadow of two older brothers who I knew were much smarter than me, I coasted through schools to senior high graduation.  But two things I knew for sure.  I was convinced I was common and that I loved God because he first loved me.  So I followed Christ into my unknown future and never looked back.  I have lived a life I could never have imagined.

      The scriptures contain many Divine interventions with common people who had a heart for God and consequently their own “fullness of time” stories.  For example, a common orphaned Jewish girl named Esther was adopted and raised by her older cousin, Mordecai.  Their story is a remarkable testament to human choices and Divinely-given opportunity for the glory of God.  They lived in exile under the reign of King Xerxes.  The king chose Esther to be his queen not knowing she was a Jew.  Mordecai heard of a plot to assassinate the king and told it to Haman, a prince of the king.  But Haman took credit and saved the king.  Then Haman turned on Mordecai because he would not bow down to him, the king’s prince.  So with the king’s permission Haman planned to have Mordecai and all the Jews executed.  So Mordecai challenged his step-daughter, Queen Esther, to risk her life by revealing her Jewish identity and save the Jews from annihilation.  Mordecai told her:

 “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you

alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at

this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from

another place, but you and your father’s family will perish.

And who knows but that you have come to your royal position

for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13-14).

Esther agreed and King Xerxes sent out a decree that all the Jews should be spared.  He also honored Mordecai’s allegiance to him for exposing the plot and saving his life.

     You and I were also born “for such a time as this”.  God wants your common life to bring uncommon glory to himself.  You’ll not be aware of all that God does through you, but he will let you see enough to deepen your faith and increase your joy.  So live each day with this desire and expectation.  Voice it to God each morning and thank him each evening.  Remember, what seems common to you may be uncommon to someone else.  A word.  A smile.  A kindness.  With God nothing is too small or ever wasted.  God has “fullness of time” moments for you to glorify him and fulfill his plans and purposes in the world and your small corner of it.

     In closing, “God always has a remnant”.  Perhaps you are the remnant in your family, your neighborhood, your place of work or your school.  You may be one of a few with a heart for God.  Through you the “fullness of time” moments and events could come for those in your network of influence to experience a spiritual rebirth by the love of God in Christ Jesus.  God loves to glorify himself through common people like you and me.