Our New Normal

Be Strong, Be Well — Wednesday, July 22

We’re all trying to deal with our “new normal” as we call it. But what is normal?

If we use a dictionary to find the definition, we’ll see normal as “conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; not abnormal; regular; natural.” In many ways our lives are anything but normal. But in other ways we should be as normal as can be.

We may be wearing masks, limiting our travels outside the home, avoiding personal contact and leaving plenty of space around us and other people. For social people this is not normal.

But in most respects, as Christians, our lives should be normal. We remain steadfast in our faith. Our prayer life is on track. Our Bible studies may have increased with our newly found spare time, but we always have been people who read, meditate, and study God’s holy word.

As far as “normal” is concerned, the Christian life defines that term. For us the new normal is not new at all.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).”Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong” (16:13). —Chris