🌿 Fresh Eyes: When God Stirs the Ordinary

Surrendered Hearts, Willing Hands

Charlie Kirk was only 18 when he founded Turning Point USA. At 18, with no money and no name recognition, he launched a movement from his parents’ garage. It was an ordinary start — yet God used his surrender and willingness to build something extraordinary.

By the time he was 31, God had used Charlie’s voice, courage, and platform to influence millions. But his life was never just about influence — it was about pointing others to Christ. His legacy is one of faithfulness to the Gospel and courage to the very end.

Charlie is just one modern example. The same God who stirred him is the God who still stirs ordinary people today.

– Surrender says:

“Here I am, Lord. Whatever You want, I’m Yours.”

– Willingness says:

“Yes, Lord. Even when I feel small. Even when I feel unqualified. Even when I feel afraid.”

Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary God

Throughout Scripture, we meet men and women who felt weak, unqualified, or afraid — yet when they surrendered to God, He did extraordinary things through them. Their stories remind us that the question is never about our ability, but about God’s power working through willing hearts. Let’s look at three such examples: Moses, Gideon, and Peter.

Moses — From Hesitant Shepherd to Deliverer

When you feel unqualified, remember Moses. He argued with God: “Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh?” (Exodus 3:11). He protested, “O my Lord, I am not eloquent… but I am slow of speech” (Exodus 4:10). Yet God promised, “I will be with thy mouth” (Exodus 4:12).

With nothing but a staff in his hand and the presence of God with him, Moses stood before Pharaoh, called for Israel’s release, and later led an entire nation out of slavery — through the Red Sea, into freedom (Exodus 14:21–22). His surrender turned weakness into deliverance for millions. What mattered was not his staff, but his God.

Peter — From Denial to Bold Proclamation

When failure haunts you, remember Peter. He swore he would never forsake Jesus — yet when the pressure came, he denied Him three times (Luke 22:61–62). Broken, he wept bitterly. Yet after the resurrection, Jesus restored him with grace: “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). With these words, Jesus not only forgave Peter but entrusted him with caring for His people – a powerful sign of restoration and recommissioning.

At Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came, Peter — the same man who had denied Jesus three times out of fear, even to a servant girl in the high priest’s courtyard — stood before thousands and boldly declared, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses” (Acts 2:32). That day, about 3,000 were saved and baptized (Acts 2:41). Peter’s failure was not the end; his surrender to God’s Spirit became the spark of the early church.

What This Looks Like in Daily Life

Be Available Like Moses

When you feel unqualified, remember that God only asks you to show up. Availability today might look like showing up for your neighbor, praying for your church, or stepping forward when you’d rather step back.
“Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

Be Brave Like Gideon

When fear whispers, remember that courage comes from Who is with you. Courage today might mean speaking truth when others stay silent or oppose you or living faithfully when it costs you something.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Be Restored Like Peter

When failure haunts you, remember that Jesus restores. Living this out might look like seeking reconciliation, offering forgiveness, or daring to believe God still has a purpose for you.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Be Willing Like Charlie

When you feel too ordinary, remember Charlie. He didn’t start with wealth or recognition — only a heart surrendered to God and ready to say yes when called. God calls us to the same posture: a surrendered spirit that shows itself in simple, faithful steps — serving without recognition, giving quietly, or saying yes to Him in the small things.
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23)

The Closing Call

When a light like Charlie’s is cut short, we feel the loss deeply. It reminds us how dark and cruel this world can be. But it also reminds us of something greater: God’s work does not end when one servant’s race is finished. It continues through us, through every surrendered heart that says yes.

So when the Spirit nudges, don’t shrink back. Take one step — however small — and trust Him with the outcome. Light the candle. Speak the Word. Offer the prayer. Take the step. Trust the outcome. That is how darkness is pierced, how hope ripples outward, how revival begins.

Turn away that voice that says you can’t and hold on to the One who CAN.
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

The world doesn’t need perfect people; it needs surrendered ones who are willing. Start where you are. Speak truth when it costs you. Show love when it would be easier to stay silent. Pray when others despair. These are the steps God uses to shake nations and heal hearts.

Charlie shall not grow old; age shall not weary him. His race is finished, his surrender complete, and now he goes to his heavenly reward. As Paul wrote: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…” (2 Timothy 4:7–8).

Charlie’s legacy inspires us, but the call remains for us: to take one step of surrender and willingness today. Remember: God doesn’t need your skill. He delights in your surrendered heart and your willing spirit. And He will do more with that than you can imagine.

🌿 Fresh Eyes Insight

Fresh eyes remind me: God stirs the ordinary to do the extraordinary. He used Moses, Gideon, and Peter — men marked by weakness, fear, and even failure. Through surrender, they became deliverers, leaders, and bold witnesses. And He still does the same today.

Charlie longed for revival — for young people awakened, for families thriving, for a nation turned back to God. That vision doesn’t end with him. It continues in us, the ordinary who say yes to an extraordinary God.

👉 Reflections:

Where might God be inviting me to take a step of faith — even if it feels small, ordinary, or beyond my ability?
Am I relying on my own skill, or am I trusting that God delights in using surrendered, willing hearts to do extraordinary things?