The New Normal

Everyone is talking about a new normal. People are saying that they don’t want to go back to our old normal. I get it. There is plenty I want to leave in the past. But, that doesn’t mean we have to wipe everything out. Not all of our “normal” was bad. We are in an all-or-nothing culture right now and honestly, I am exhausted. Not all of our old normal was bad. A lot of it is worth saving. Let’s take a deep breath before we throw it all away.

I was an emotional teenager. I know all teens are emotional. But, I was something else. I was the teenager that stormed off and could throw a tantrum like no other. “Let’s just destroy it all!” I’d proclaim. None of it mattered anyway. This is us, right now. Let’s just burn everything down and start over. That is a huge mistake.

Let’s chat about Jesus and salvation, shall we. When it comes to our past, we are forgiven. The moment you believe and accept Jesus came to die for you and was raised on the third day, your past is forgiven. Jesus paid the price. That doesn’t mean you won’t have consequences and you get a hall pass. It means you have access to God and eternity.

A lot of people think that this means our past is gone. But, if you think about it, your past can never be erased. Forgiven? Absolutely? Torn down and gone forever? Not in the slightest. Do you ever wonder why that is?

Our lives are a journey; a beautiful messy journey. I think most of us can say that we are not the same person today as we were a year ago, five years ago, ten years ago. We are, hopefully, better then we were before. As we grow and what was once normal shifts and changes, we forge ahead bringing the good stuff with us and dropping the bad.

"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:4

2020 has asked us to persevere. Am I right? We’ve all changed in some way; many of us proclaiming that we will not go back to our old normal. Can I challenge you? Keep the good stuff. Shed the things that need to go, but don’t wipe it all away. Becoming mature and complete means some things stay. Your old normal wasn’t all bad.

There’s always room for growth. Change is a good thing. However, growth isn’t built on an empty foundation. Your life is beautiful; even the messy pieces. Don’t cancel everything. Let your life grow in the soil where He plants you. Just make sure you turn it over every now and again.