GOD'S KINGDOM AND WAYS SHOULD BE OUR "NORMAL" WAY OF LIFE AS BELIEVERS.

3/27/2020

If you are like most people in the current place we all find ourselves, just about nothing seems “Normal”. In fact so many daily activities have been altered that at times we begin to pine nostalgic on the good old days. The good old days were only a few weeks ago for most of us. Those casual activities like grabbing a coffee with friends at our neighborhood shop, or meeting my wife for great appetizers and a glass of wine at our favorite restaurant on a Friday afternoon. Happy hour…..remember those ? People laughing and talking with friends in a warm cozy environment. What I am finding out is just how much I miss a lot of the things that I took for granted. My men’s groups are on hold for now, existing in a zoom world of internet chat. Church is all online, and I miss the connection of seeing our friends and catching up after a great sermon. So Much Change….and I wonder, “God, when are things going to get back to normal ?” The more I thought about “Normal” though, I realized in God’s eyes just how far the world has moved away from His vision of life for us. In fact, the last few years, one could begin to even question as a Christian if normal even exists in our world today.

God’s vision of life revolves around a consistent order and understanding of His Kingdom that never changes. Truth is stated and clear, and mankind’s purposes and ways of living are found in the Word of God as inerrant and loving instruction. God teaches us the true nature of creation. God teaches us the value of family and marriage. God teaches us the meaning of love, and the value we need to have for each other. God shows us the things to value and what not to value. Galatians 5 spells out very clearly what the world values and the things it can lead us into versus the true Fruits of the Spirit that a relationship of abiding in Christ can help us become.

YOUR EYES SAW MY SUBSTANCE, BEING YET UNFORMED. AND IN YOUR BOOK THEY WERE ALL WRITTEN, THE DAYS FASHIONED FOR ME, WHEN AS YET THERE WERE NONE OF THEM. HOW PRECIOUS ALSO ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO ME, O GOD ! HOW GREAT IS THE SUM OF THEM. Psalm 139:16-17

JUST AS HE CHOSE US IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIMIN LOVE, HAVING PREDESTINED US TO ADOPTION AS SONSBY JESUS CHRIST TO HIMSELF, ACCORDING TO THE GOOD PLEASURE OF HIS WILL. Ephesians 1: 4-5

As followers of Jesus, it is crystal clear that God’s vision of a normal and good life does not conform and endorse the ways of mankind. That separation started in the garden, and has throughout time gained steam by mankind to reject God and His ways. The truth is that everything in our life comes down to choices. God gave us an incredible path toward rebuilding our life and relationship with Him when He allowed His Son to become man and walk among us. He allowed His Son to be crucified and die on a cross in our place for our sins. Jesus who was pure and without sin, perfect in all ways, died for us. Me and you. But death could not hold Him. His resurrection into Heaven with His Father has created not only a path to Him for us, but has defined how we should live our lives and define our “Normal” Seeking God, and His Kingdom each and every day should be our normal. Following His Word and wanting His character should be our focus ! Becoming like Christ and abiding in Him will allow our lives to bear incredibly sweet fruit.

The things that I truly love about my life and view as normal are actually God’s things. My normals revolve around family and friends, and the love I feel for them. My activities put me in position to enjoy God’s creation, and the blessings He has given me prompt me toward generosity to others. I have values that come from Him, and all the politically correct trash that the political and secular world pushes on us every day are falling away. God is perhaps in the midst of these times giving us the gift and chance to reconnect. With family. With goodness. With truth. With what is most important. And with Him ! I implore you to be still and see what He has to say to you. You just might be surprised how much you crave God and His Kingdom as the true normal in your life ! Seek Him !

“NOW THEN, IF YOU WILL INDEED OBEY MY VOICE AND KEEP MY COVENANT, THEN YOU SHALL BE A SPECIAL TREASURE TO ME ABOVE ALL PEOPLE; FOR ALL THE EARTH IS MINE.” Exodus 19:5

Shalom and Peace Be Yours/JAA