Are you normal?

That was easy!

Are you normal…?

I guess the answer to that question depends on your perspective.  The dictionary defines “normal” as “conforming to the standard or the common type“.  I never really thought of myself as a conformist but the more I think about my actions, habits and attitudes, I realize they must be rooted somewhere.  They eminate and overflow from some central place…is it my belief system, social bias, life upbringing?

So then,  “What does the normal life look like for a person who claims to follow Jesus Christ”?   It doesnt take too close an examination to see a myriad of examples within the church…from Gospel distortions and biased interpretation of Scripture to out and out legalism from modern day Pharisees.  We run such a wide gamut within the evangelical church that its no wonder that secular society looks at us incredulously and labels us as “judgmental”, “hypocritical”, and “out of touch”. 

We appear less and less relevent as we reflect less and less of the true life of our Creator.

The book of Genesis explains that we were created to be God’s image bearers – our very design and purpose was to be found in the reflection of the Creator’s image.   Author and lecturer Ian Thomas goes on to ask “What did God see in that moment when he looked at man whom He created in His perfect image?  He saw Himself”  

So, if being “normal” means conforming to some standard, then the naturally drawn conclusion is that, as image bearers, the Creator must be the standard to which we measure ourselves….wouldn’t you agree?

If you are not measuring yourself with Jesus as your yardstick, which one are you using?  Are you comparing yourself to a parent…a teacher or mentor that had a strong influence…a business tycoon or worse yet, a celebrity?  You many not think you are measuring yourself against some standard, but this practice goes on everday across America.

Any way you slice it, we all compare ourselves to others to try and figure out our place…where we fit.  In other words, am I normal?

As a follower of Jesus, the normal life…the measuring stick against which we are called to stand, is a life spent allowing His indwelling presence to live in and through us.  Thomas states that “This is the purpose for which He created us, that we might be a physical, visible expression on this Earth of the God who is otherwise invisible.” 

Of course, we have all tried (and failed) to live a normal Christian life in our own strength.  How did it ultimately work out for you?  If your mind has not yet grapsed the reality that you have fallen woefully short in your own strength, you will get there eventually…trust me.

The greatest step we can ever take is to release our white-knuckled grip on this life, relinquishing control to the One who knows the exact purpose for which we were created.  He knows how to heal our marriages..how to love and nurture our children…how to move us toward wholeness and healing.  Yielded to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can live a life that is more and more reflective of our true Father….the normal life of a follower of Jesus Christ.