Isn't it true that we long to see the extraordinary, experience the extraordinary, do the extraordinary? Yet, so often we settle for mediocrity when greatness is within our grasp.

Why are we drawn to stories of heroic triumph over seemingly impossible circumstances? In our fascination with adventure movies, superheroes, and tales of incredible human feats, do we reveal an inherent desire for something larger and greater in life? Maybe what we think is a need to escape or be entertained is actually a God inspired longing...for the extraordinary.

Best-selling author John Bevere reveals how all of us were "meant for more," extraordinarily created and intended for a life that is anything but ordinary. Here is the roadmap for your journey of transformation. You are marked for a life that far surpasses the usual definitions of success or fulfillment.

Isn't it time to pursue your extraordinary life?

From the Hardcover edition.

Paul, who lived during the church's inception, was divinely moved to bring into the open what had been previously hidden to our eyes, ears, and imagination. He also wrote the following to describe the mandate of his life: My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels! (Ephesians 3:9--10, MSG)
There's One Person above all others who desires an extraordinary life for you. He is a Father who delights, like any good father, in the achievements and happiness of His children. His name is God! And nothing will please Him more than seeing you reach your highest potential. God's extraordinary plan is revealed when we live extraordinarily. Together let's give the angels something to talk about!
Extraordinary. Just hearing this amazing word arouses the desire to surpass the norm, to break away from the status quo. Its definition is "beyond what is usual, exceptional, exceeding the common measure." One-word synonyms include remarkable, amazing, marvelous, and unimaginable. To better understand the full meaning of this inspiring word, consider its antonyms: common, normal, and usual.
Ponder this a moment: the opposite of extraordinary is normal ! If we're honest, I think we all want our lives to mean more or be more than what we've known and seen. Unless it's suppressed, there is an innate desire in each of us to rise above commonness. We yearn for the extraordinary.
The most loved popular films that have captured the hearts and attention of the public involve extraordinary powers. There's Spider-Man, Superman, The Incredible Hulk, the Star Wars saga, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Matrix, Fantastic Four, The Incredibles, X-Men, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and that's not all of them. Add to this mix the movies with extraordinary heroes who do remarkable feats and live exceptional lives, characters such as Batman, Iron Man, Indiana Jones, Zorro, William Wallace, Robin Hood, Spartacus, Sergeant York, just to name a few. In fact, as of 2009, seventeen of the top twenty-five all-time blockbuster movies fall under these categories. That's almost 70 percent, and the percentage varies only slightly if you extend the poll to the top fifty.
How intriguing that the bulk of the most popular movies of all time are not love stories, murder mysteries, espionage thrillers, war movies, true life accounts, sports flicks, westerns, police stories, or dramas of friendship, family, or life in general. No, the top box office draws are films that center on extraordinary characters doing remarkable feats, with a good number of them possessing beyond-human abilities or powers. Why? Because "extraordinary" is how we were created to live. It was God's plan from the beginning.
Unfortunately, God's plan and man's execution of the plan are often not the same. One of the main reasons I avoided Christianity for years was its portrayal. I, like so many others, saw men of God as Bible-thumping critics who were quick to judge the flaws of others. Or they were passive, backward, and ignorant. The idea that Christians were pioneers who lived and thought outside the box, behaving in extraordinary ways, never crossed my mind. And the idea of Christian women? Well, it was even worse. I perceived that they had no say in important matters, dressed unfashionably, and neglected their appearance. It was frowned upon for a godly woman to venture...

 

Praise forExtraordinary"In Extraordinary, John Bevere does a wonderful job of showing what God created us for and how that applies to all areas of our lives. As a professional athlete, I am constantly dealing with the balance of being extraordinary for God, as well as in my career. This book has shown me that there is no separation between our spiritual lives and our everyday lives. God has called us to live extraordinarily, every minute of every day. This book is a must read for those who are looking to live fully immersed in the greatness of Jesus!"

 

"John Bevere is one of the most passionate people I know, and I believe he has truly grasped the meaning of John 10:10: 'I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.' In Extraordinary he digs into the Word to show what it looks like to please God and use the talents He has given us. John pushes believers to the edge to get them to launch out into the deep. He lives life to the fullest and, through these pages, will inspire you to experience the joy of serving Christ with passion."

 

"This is a one-of-a-kind hero message! In his unprecedented approach, John Bevere has delivered a book that will unlock the extraordinary within you. I pray your heart is open and ready to receive Extraordinary."

 

"John Bevere's penetrating and practical insight into 'what makes life work' shines again from these pages. In a day when twittering quick-fixes are sought for life-solutions and sound-bite remarks are dubbed as wisdom, there's a need for this kind of honesty about the requirements for substance to build a life. John shows that extraordinary living is within every person's reach, but not on ordinary terms."

 

"Extraordinary points us to that spot on the horizon--the place that could be ours to live. In his book, John gives us a glimpse of what God has for us in that place so that we will chase after it and allow God's Spirit to take us there."

 

"John Bevere gives a unique peek into our natural human desires for an extraordinary life and provides a frank, candid, and probing discussion of why--when we crave to soar like the mighty eagle--we often accept walking among the chickens as our ultimate fate in life. John's book shows us how to reach that extraordinary individual that resides in all of us."

 

"In Extraordinary, my friend John Bevere guides readers on a journey toward discovering a life of more--more understanding, more success, more excitement. And he shows us exactly what it takes to move beyond an ordinary existence and to take hold of an extraordinary life!"

 

"My favorite thing about John Bevere's books is they're all loaded with Scripture, challenging you to grow deeper in your walk with Jesus, and Extraordinary is no different. John walks through the Bible and opens your eyes to God's passion of getting you away from 'the ordinary' and into 'the extraordinary.' Prepare to be challenged and changed as you read."

 

Marked by boldness and passion, John Bevere delivers uncompromising truth through his award-winning curriculum and best-selling books, including The Bait of Satan, Drawing Near, and Driven by Eternity, now available in over sixty languages. He speaks internationally and is co-host of The Messenger TV program, which is broadcast worldwide. John enjoys living in Colorado Springs with his wife, Lisa, also a best-selling author and speaker, and their family.

From the Hardcover...