7:17 AM. I guess I fell asleep again. Wife’s still snoozing, so I crawl out quietly, give the cats a quick pet, and head for the coffee maker.
Wow! Look at that day out there. It’s fabulous. Sky’s as blue as blue can get. Back lawn is a lush green, covered in morning dew. And for a few moments, from where I’m standing, it’s almost hard to imagine that things could be so wrong.
I get my coffee. Find my favorite chair. Fire up the TV. And my serene little bubble pops, as the news announcer drones on. The world is falling into some sort of mass insanity.
Suddenly, I’m angry. I don’t like this world I’m in. It doesn’t feel normal. And it no longer feels like home.
Are you also wondering where “normal” went?
These are troubling times. And they may cause you to question what, or who, can be trusted. Is it even possible to find “normal” again?
I’m going to need more coffee.
THE EVER-MOVING GOAL POST
These days, so many of us just want to “get back to normal.” Right? You remember “normal.”
Not so long ago, your life was moving right along. Your work, your family, your trouble and challenges—it was your life. Your “normal.” And you’ll be happy to return to the familiarity of it.
Except you can’t.
Deep down inside, you’ve become painfully aware that there’s something wrong with “normal”. It seems to be moving—reinventing itself.
The rules keep changing.
And just about the time you think you’ve got this life thing down, something else changes.
Maybe you’ve tried to laugh off this uncomfortable feeling. After all, life is always moving. Always crazy. It’s part of our modern society.
But are these latest events making you begin to question where your life may be going? Or who you are becoming?
Take a moment to remember what your life and this world was just six months ago, when things seemed “normal” enough. And think about what has changed since the beginning of this year.
Now, take a few minutes to think about what has changed in just the past ten years.
Growing technology that can track where you are, what you’re doing, and even how you are feeling. “Smart” doorbells, televisions, and even appliances. Driver-less semi trucks on our highways.
Gay marriage. Late term abortions. A growing number of people undergoing gender reassignment surgery.
Growing divisions, both political and religious— ever deepening, like trenches.
Drag queens teaching young children their version of “normal,” in public libraries.
Christianity decreasing in numbers. Mounting numbers of church pastors committing suicide.
Calls by leaders for a basic “free” income, universal healthcare, and a cashless world.
The Pope announcing to the world that we Christians should no longer share our faith with others. His many-paths language of late, seems to be selling us all a one-world religion.
We could certainly go on. There’s more every day. The point is, do you see anything “normal” in any of this?
Neither do I.
The goal posts have moved—and the vast majority of people see all of this as a “new normal.” They just can’t understand why we don’t want to play this game by their rules.
Friend, we have been pushed to the sidelines.
THE OLD “NORMAL” ISN’T EXACTLY TRUE
We all like things we can count on. Safe things. Secure things. Predictable things.
So you may find yourself glancing back over your shoulder at what certainly seemed to be more sensible, more rational times than now. Go ahead. Don’t be afraid to feel it.
It may not be panic, but it certainly isn’t peace. It is your inner self taking a long, hard look at your outer world. And it doesn’t take long to feel the conflict.
Your world seems to position you, press you—manipulate you into becoming someone you don’t want to become. It’s all been coming along, for a very long time now, as “normal” has progressively morphed into another version of itself.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
(2 Timothy 3:1-5)
I’m really not picking on anyone in particular, but I won’t apologize. Let’s face what we’re facing.
It’s Sin.
And it’s not just about those who aren’t “Christian.”
There are whole church organizations who love to dress up and “play church.” They may be traditional, beautifully adorned and religious. They might be cutting-edge, noisy and ultra cool. They teach information about God—which may or may not be accurate information—without helping anyone to know Him personally.
Unfortunately, these have become some of the real norms of the church today. They look like they are about God—but in truth, they oppose God. They oppose anyone who is truly a born-again Christian—bought by Christ’s own blood.
They have a form of godliness, but resist the One True God. They love the “social gospel” of good deeds. And they deny the inerrant truth of God’s word, the Holy Bible.
They’ve been around for ages, and they have a lot of worldly influence, so their long standing air of “normal” is always with us.
And the result is that Sin continues to rule and reign in hearts that could have been changed, by a personal relationship with Christ.
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
(Romans 1:28-32)
In every generation of time, there are people who don’t want to be reminded of a holy, perfect God in their thoughts. Instead, they love evil. They love foolishness.
They love to love what they want to love.
So God lets them have what they love. It is called a “reprobate mind.”
That word, “reprobate” is defined as; worthless, rejected—a castaway. Sadly, we may have friends, co-workers, or even family members like that.
Knowing how we could end up should cause each one of us to search out Christ Jesus, run to Him, and to serve Him with all that we are.
“And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.”
(Luke 8:14)
Many have forsaken the truth of God. It wasn’t their original intention. They heard the truth. But apparently, life got in their way.
Too many dreams of the good life, pushing away desires for a God life. Too many swelling aspirations. Too many toys to play with. Too many places to go, wonders to see, or things to be.
In this verse, God says that a life, choked by the cares and pleasures of this world, will “bring no fruit to perfection.”
I have a mandarin orange tree in my back yard. Its first year was phenomenal, bearing sweet, luscious fruit.
But in the seasons that have followed, its fruit grows, then just falls off of the tree, without ever fully ripening.
There may be something I need to do for it. But the point is, my lovely orange tree is just an ornament without successful fruit.
The Bible declares that people who live like this are like unfruitful trees, and will eventually be cut down and cast into the fire.
May we all heed this warning.
Make sure that you have fully made God’s truth—the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus, who paid the penalty for your Sin in full—your own.
The religions and traditions of men may be woven deep into the fabric of our society. But let your Bible be their judge.
The old “normal” doesn’t automatically mean that it’s right, or righteous. It must pass the test of truth in scripture.
Read your Bible, and test it for yourself.
THE NEW “NORMAL” ISN’T SO NEW
All you wanted to do was to live and to let live—to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and to see the good in people. All you really wanted was to be “normal.” Me too.
But now, “normal” seems to be almost an illusion. It seems to be more of a play on words and emotions, than any true realities.
Leaders of governments are telling us that we will be moving toward a “new normal.”
But that concept certainly isn’t new.
“All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.”
(Ecclesiastes 1:8-10)
Apparently King Solomon understood his world well. There really isn’t anything “new.”
Sure, there are plenty of ideas, discoveries, and technologies peculiar to our own present generation. Possibly more now today than ever before.
And of course, people in Solomon’s time would not have been able to do many of the things we do now—but that doesn’t mean someone didn’t have the same ideas.
Basically, all ideas are old ideas—not necessarily proven, but dreamed and pondered on none the less.
“Under the sun” go the ideas and ideals of humankind—seen before, said before, and tried before. Reclaimed and recycled for the next generation of time. And the next, and the next.
And why not? Your enemy, Satan, remains the same slippery serpent of yesteryear. His lies and deceptions are always the same.
Do you imagine yourself too modern or too sophisticated to be fooled—to fall for those same old tricks that tripped up every generation before you?
Sin is a prison. But it doesn’t need real bars of steel to hold anyone. Just the cage of your own mind will do.
By simply conforming yourself to your ever-changing world, you have done all that’s needed to keep you in your place. Held. Bound down.
This present age doesn’t want you questioning too much, or thinking too much.
The “normal” of yesterday was pretty good—but that’s outdated now. Listen—the “new normal” of today will be just as good—it’ll be just a little different, that’s all. It’s nothing to fret over, or worry about.
The powers that be will take care of all of those boring, complicated details for you. Life will be safe and secure. And isn’t that all you really want to hear?
Ah, but that Bible of yours—it’s such a trouble maker. Because it holds the very truth of God.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
(Romans 12:2)
That word, “conform” means to fashion or shape one thing like another. A conformity, which is transitory, changeable, or unstable.
Think about those ever changing “norms” of society, that expect you to change right along with them.
This is really nothing new. Just the same old tries, lies, and arguments offered up by an unbelieving world, to a new and unsuspecting generation.
Can you handle the truth? Because God wants you to prove His will, by using your life.
He equips the believer with the tools that are needed. A serious and sober mind, to rightly understand the world you live within. And the measure of faith you’ll need, to believe what you’ll receive through His word.
His word is tested, timeless, and for every generation. His word is always able to speak—to the world, and into the most personal of your circumstances.
It is vitally important that you allow God’s word to speak to your problems, your fears, and your pain.
Otherwise, other influences—of deception and evil intent—will be there instead, for your soul to hear and to heed.
Friend, don’t be conformed to this world!
THE REAL NORMAL NEVER CHANGES
The real normal never changes, but it seems to change everyone in its path.
It is constant. It is always safe, strong, and secure. Always affirming. Always a present help in times of trouble.
It is real, because it is the True Reality.
It is God—the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords—Christ Jesus.
Have you taken His name as your own? This name of Jesus?
Think of a new bride who joyfully takes the name of her new husband—to be his, to be forever known by his name—to receive her new identity as she gives herself away, to be joined with him.
Your present world pretends to give you an identity as well.
For those who love adventure, it will surely provide some. For people who dream of Hollywood’s version of love, it creates a matrix of illusion. For anyone wanting fantasy island, there’s a tempting vessel ready to set sail.
Do you want riches? There’s a lotto ticket right around every corner. Or if you have more money to risk, the stock market promises to fund your dreams and destiny.
Your world has plenty of games to play. A profusion of entertainment. Plenty of glitz and glamour. And gotta-wear-shades glimpses into a brightly lit future.
It all looks so tantalizingly real. And to be sure, the world has a lot to offer.
But what this world cannot give is the real and True normal. True normal is not the world’s to give.
Because True normal is out of this world. True normal is beyond.
It doesn’t naturally occur within the lives of humankind. You are not born with it. You can’t earn it.
You have to set your mind and will upon True normal to find it. You need to give your very heart and life away to possess it.
True normal is jealous over you. Passionate! Love—faithful and true.
You have to choose between having this Love, or hanging on to your world. You can’t love both, or serve both. Only one.
“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.”
(Joshua 24:14)
Because the one you choose determines your lasting identity.
FIND YOUR REAL AND TRUE NORMAL
True normal is not a place, or a thing, or even a time. It is a Person. He is the the standard by which everything else is measured.
And even more, the True normal is also a name. The Name of Jesus—which is far above all other names, or powers, principalities, and all other purposes.
For by that Name everything was made—all created for the Father’s glory. Everything, and everyone. Created for glory.
You were created for glory! And it’s because of that Name. That Truth. That True Reality.
Look around. Take a deep breath. It’s as normal and natural as the air you breathe. The starry sky at night. The birds, the great mountains, or the rushing mighty rivers. All majestically made for His glory. All purposed to tell the story of God’s unending love for you.
Such love that sent Him to a cruel cross of shame, where he would suffer for you, and bleed out for you—hoping that one day, you would stop and notice long enough to let his unfathomable forgiveness flood over you.
And become His.
So that He may take you up into His arms, and bring you to his own Father’s house. Your Father’s house.
“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:8-11)
Are you still trying to face what’s facing you? Are you afraid, and wondering if you’ll be strong enough to endure what lies ahead?
No one can do this alone. And you were never meant to.
Your Friend wants to come along, and lead you by His hand.
But if you haven’t already done so, you must call out to Him. You must say His Name, “Jesus,” and claim it as your own.
You must fall into His arms—those same arms that were outstretched on the cross, for you. You must receive the love and forgiveness that He died for you to have. Love that reaches through time and eternity, to capture this one single heart of yours.
He is beyond you, and beyond this world. He transcends all time and place.
He is always the same, today, yesterday, and forever. He will not be shaken. He will not be moved.
He is the Truth. He is your True Normal.
And He is yours, if you’ll receive Him.