What Does It Mean to be Normal?

[HKHaugan]

There is a recent switch in liberal linguistics. It's called 'the new norm.' Typical of this mindset is the attempt to constantly change the meaning of words so that meaning is determined by whoever wants it to define what they want. When we use the word 'norm' or 'normal' it means a standard by which we judge. But suppose 'norm' is changeable according to one's personal whimsy? Then we have 'normal' not being normal at all and norms disappear. This is what is happening in education, social encounters and even in theological circles.

The intellectually frozen liberal mindset is after us to take 'old' values, discard them and come up with so-called new concepts to breed what is called 'the new norm.' It is actually the same 'old' anti-God self-elevation called sin masquerading as modern freedom from past inhibition. The 'new norm' is really anarchy of the individual mind, heart and spirit. It's rebellion against God and His people. We see it reflected in the mass shootings, terrorism, political correctness, the errant judicial system, liberal takeover in the educational system, profanity laced sexualized movies and media, blurring sexual identity, massive pornography, failed political leadership and add what you will.

Let me suggest that the new norm is not new but has always been new and the new norm has always been new for every person who recognizes it. That's right. There is a norm that is new. It's new because every person is born brand new and what it means to be new starts with the One who has made Himself new to each of us. The real new norm starts with recognition, then realization and then reception of Jesus who is new and comes into our lives new each day to meet every next moment which is a new moment.

For us who are disciples of Jesus everyday is new. He is always the normal become new everyday. Everything outside of Jesus is self worship relying on self-created strategies of survival. The so-called 'modern' thought is really all about freeing the self from all restraint to play like we are gods. The worship the Lord Jesus brings is the new that discards the old. So let's look at worship for what it really is and why its bringing in the real new.

Worship recognizes Jesus is someone who is more worthy of being praised than myself. That kicks the liberal 'new norm' in the face. We praise Jesus because He is the definition of what it means to be the normal man. The old man is the sin bound self centered man who lives in fear of the next moment. The liberal 'new norm' is locked into fearing the loss of personal control. Jesus, the real norm, the ultimately normal man is the most profound reality. He crosses the boundary of every man made self definition in time,space and existence. He is the eternal norm which leads me to see He is:

More right than me.
More loving than me.
More worthy of recognition than me.
More worthy to be heard than me.
More worthy to be followed than me.
More wise than me.
More intellectual than me.
More personal than me.
More kind and compassionate than me.
More forgiving and understanding than me.
More courageous, brave and confident than me.
More spontaneous than me.
More honest than me.
More truthful than me.
More confronting than me.
More passionate than me.
More focused than me.
More intentional than me.
More moral than me.
More concerned than me.
More gracious than me.
More relational than me.
He sees, hears, feels, thinks, touches and probes far beyond my ability to even imagine.
Which all says: He is more normal than me.

Because:

When I think I am alone He is there,
Where I am blind He sees,
Where I am crippled He walks,
Where I could not reach, His hand was already there,
Where I fear He is courageous,
Where I am afraid to go He has already walked,
Where I have fallen He has already picked me up.
Where I am anxious, He is calm.
When I am proud, He humbles me.
When I thought I knew who I was He revealed to me who I really was.
When I thought I was in control, He came to save me with His control,
When I needed to shift from me to Him He knew just when, where and how, then He guided me all the way.

See what I mean about normal? He is the norm to correct the abnormal and the subnormal, making us great again. I need Him. You need Hm. We all need Him.