I talk with people consistently that are looking for some sense of normality in their life. Often they express that sentiment by saying something such as, “I just wish life could be normal for me sometime.” Have you ever said that statement?
What I have come to understand from experience is that life never rests long before some new highs or lows appear. The problem with desiring normal is that normal seldom looks like we expect normal to look. I’m wondering if normal may be more our reaction to life, than the circumstances we experience in life.
Perhaps the better goal is to learn to balance our lives amidst difficulties, good and bad times, triumph and tragedy, and the feast or famine the world in which we live tends to experience. In fact, I wonder if learning how to balance our emotions between the extremes isn’t the normality we are seeking, rather than periods where everything is calm. When we learn to live in the joy of every moment, normal may seem more attainable. (Consider what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:11-13)
What has your experience taught you? How would you define the “normal” life? Is your life “normal”?
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It seems to me that the Bible’s definition of normal is: abnormality. At least in a fallen humanity sense. So many times the Bible points to the opposite side of things as though they are the norm. To die is to live. To lose your life is to gain it. Etc. So what we view as normality, say a perfect job, home, economy, family. No surprises and no pains. (the American Dream). Is essentially a fallacy. I would go as far as saying that dilligently seeking these things over Christ is a sin. Just my thought.
We are strangers and aliens…Thanks!
As soon as we try to define normal by our (or the worlds) standards, we are failing. The perfect standard to a normal life is what scripture gives us. Like you pointed us toward today Ron, Paul gives us this definition. Jesus also tells us what a normal life should look like…Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When our sights are set on the Author of normal then, and only then, can we compare if our lives are normal or not. Otherwise, we fall short of that perfect standard.
Thanks Pastor Eldon. Love your comment.
That's funny. I actually had the roller coaster term in my thought process when I wrote this but never fit it in. Thanks for adding that idea in the thought process.
Making your life normal would be like flattening out a roller coaster. Sure its possible, but what fun would that be?!
Life can and will be a roller coaster, just be aware that God is sitting right there with you in all of it. Walking, Fathering, Loving you, all the time, all the way.
I used to want a normal life, but after a while I began to think- What is normal? Seems to me that it's a very relative term. What's normal for someone may not be for another person. I just have to live the life God has given me and accept it as normal for me.
I agree Forrest…very relative. I think it helps put things in perspective when we realize we don't have to be like everyone else. Thanks for your comments.
I am not sure that there really is a normal. Maybe normal is just something that we see in others and think that we would like to have that kind of life and that is our normal. Just what I was thinking as I was reading this. Nothing really to back this up. I do know that my life seems to be a lot of ups and downs and nothing really even or normal.
Cindy, I think you may be on to something.