The New Normal

In our culture of constant change, it can be difficult to figure out what “normal” is!  The dictionary definition is “that which conforms to an accepted standard.” Given that standards shift like the wind, “normal” is subject to change—so there will always be a “new normal.”

Last week at the Democratic Convention, a young man spoke about 'new' family values—he was raised by two mothers, lesbians. He was there to thank the Democratic Party for ‘normalizing’ gay families. Then the next day, coincidentally, I read about a new Fall TV sitcom, called “The New Normal,” that will feature two gay men raising a child they have by a surrogate.

In my lifetime I have seen a lot of “new normal’s.” I remember when black and white TVs and bow ties were normal. I remember when it was normal for grocery stores to be closed on Sundays. And more soberly, I remember when out-of-wedlock pregnancy was not normal and abortion was illegal.

Obviously, what used to be “normal” changed.  But if “normal” is so subjective, why are so many believers trying to be “normal”?  Rather than being defined by the world's shifting standards, shouldn't we be conforming to God's?  Who knows? Our lives just might appear refreshingly and delightfully abnormal to all the normal people around us.  Our standards could even become the "new normal!"