Being Normal In An Abnormal World

John 21:15-17
By Harold Dinsmore, M.Div.
© 2008 Harold Dinsmore   

What is your definition of normal?  Well, it probably depends greatly on your perception of what normalcy is.  In other words, our bias tells us what normal is.  To a person who grew up in the suburbs, his interpretation of normal is vastly different than one raised on the streets of the inner city.  So one’s frame of reference colors one’s opinion concerning normalcy.

Now, take me, for instance.  I think I’m pretty normal, but there are some who might debate that issue.  I’m not opening that up for discussion.  My point is that, to some of us, normal is relative.  We have either been taught what society teaches us as to what is normal, or we simply arrive at our own synthesis as to what is normal.

I think it is a given fact that we live in a truly abnormal world.  There is tragedy and death, injustice and ecological apathy, war, prejudice, hate, immorality and – need I go on?  My hope today is to shed a little light on the subject of what normal is for the Christian.  The normal Christian is found in the pages of God’s Word and I suppose we could start with the conversation Jesus had with Peter shortly before His ascension to heaven.  Turn with me to John 21:15-17.