Normal, “a Figment of One’s Imagination!”

Sunday’s Monday Normal, “a Figment of One’s Imagination!”

During a discussion I was in this week, a spiritual brother said, “I get upset every time I hear the news reporters state the new normal.” That sparked a brainstorm in my mind, and the subject of normal would not leave me alone. My first thought when I heard back to normal, was “it took normal to get us where we are.” Most of the world has chosen normal, to live in an opaque, false since of comfort. Unfortunately, most of this world lives basically unprepared for what is to come, because they enjoy the stability of normal, which is little more than brain numbing thoughtlessness, driven by a detached desire for comfort. I read an article from gotquestions.com which explains my point in this, if “normal” is in the middle, then a “radical” would be a person at either end of the spectrum. Mother Theresa could be considered a radical in her extreme self-denial and ministry to the poorest of the poor. But Saddam Hussein was also a radical in his violent enforcement of his religious and political agenda. Both were at extreme ends of what most societies consider “normal.” Jesus inspired Paul the apostle to write in Revelation 3:16 (NLT), But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Ergo the middle is not good! Although our earthly natural is ever changing, it comes in such small increments and at such a casual pace that it goes for the most part unnoticed. We become a part of change without consciously being a willing partner to the change. Nevertheless, most will unknowingly learn to adapt and accept the now normal, as their new comfortable. This is especially true in Christian living! Normal is not a friend to disciples or Jesus as it hinders and (often times) even blocks the Christian growth process. Normal is a death sentence to desire, as we humans have need of a catalyst to spark inward motivation. Romans 12:2 (NLT), Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. The (KVJ) bible does not use the word normal because nothing in God’s spirit realm can be described using the term normal. God’s word speaks to this in Acts 2:38 (NLT), Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is at this point our desire seeks to move from living earthly normal to becoming alive in spiritual ab-normalcy. For we can now see things as we have never viewed them before! In which is explained in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NLT), So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord who is the Spirit, makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. Our thinking is now constantly being changed to conform us into faithful followers of Jesus. Our mind finally sees the dawn of how fragile earthly life “actually is”! As we find in James 4:14 (NLT), How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog it is here a little while, then it’s gone. The Apostle Paul alluded to this in 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT), For our present troubles are small and will not last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! We develop through the wisdom of God the ability to make right decisions, we pray for and expect changes in our thinking. We through faith learn to believe in things not yet seen, our whole countenance toward everything changes for the better. Our self-image (what one thinks of them self) changes drastically, as we see the “us” God created. The mundane life we lived now is given meaning and purpose, filled with faith and hope. We no longer straddle the fence as we now see things clearly through the eyes of Jesus. God has given us a helper in the Holy Spirit, to lead, guide and direct our steps. Our participation in an abnormal life will be counseled by the Holy Spirit and will produce that which is explained in Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT), 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! With all of this in mind, do you really desire to go back to what you think is normal; accept the new normal, or live in God’s abnormal? My prayer this week is from, James 1:2-4 (NLT), 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. Amen May we all be completed through the power of Jesus! HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS! For email version send request to…pal249@hotmail.com…05/17/2020