Coming out from under the weight of the last week and a half just today has given me some new perspective. I was able to go about some everyday routines without loosing my breath, a side affect of the back pain I had been experiencing. This gave me a new found appreciation for the the ability to do such things without really thinking about them, or wondering if I would be stopped in my tracks with a sharp pain. Thank you Lord.
As I reflected on this new perspective, I was brought back to the idea of all the newness at church. Though it can be painful to get to a new place, the perspective we gain with our arrival can be insightful at least, and life-changing at best. I will never listen to anyone speak of back pain again the way I did before.
Though I am not skilled enough to understand all that God has willed or planned through my last few days, my outlook on some things has changed. It that happening for you as well? I spoke with someone in choir recently about Bev's calling to another place of ministry and they were struggling with the whole thing. I shared with them my perspective on the unfolding scenario. Though immediately I thought, "Easter is only six weeks away", God quickly gave me some different thoughts. He is providing for Easter. He will provide for weekly ministry. We will provide for the choir ministry. He leads one away and raises up several to care for the needs created.
This got me thinking about our "Christian" life in general. The phrase that came to mind for my this morning was, "I guess this is going to be my new 'normal'." Let me explain to you what I mean when I use that word, and what has given me perspective on that.
Years ago a dear friend pointed out a work to me whose title I found intriguing. The book was The Normal Christian Life, by Watchman Nee. The authors name is honestly about as intriguing to me as the book title. Though I do not believe I read it through at the time, or ever have, on the basis of my exposure to it, and the recommendation of my friend I include this link where you can read the entire text online. The Normal Christian Life
This man led a very interesting life, standing up for his his faith in Christ in China, founding the house church movement, convicted he should not leave China though he was in danger, being imprisoned until his death for that faith. [You can read more about him here, Watchman Nee ] A remarkable man who by his own estimation was simply living the "normal" Christian life. You begin to see very quickly and clearly, that I am not thinking of normal as average.
No, the work of which I speak has been summarized like this
The Normal Christian Life is a Romans-centered exposition of what Christian living should be. The key verse is Romans 6:6: "Knowing this, that our old man has been crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be annulled, that we should no longer serve sin as slaves." Here in this book Nee brings an eternal perspective to the work of Christ (verses 7 to 11). The writings of Watchman Nee focus much on the enjoyment of the divine life, which all the believers possess, and the goal of God's work with man through His Son by His Spirit in this age.
That sounds like something I want to read. It sounds even more like something I want to live.
As God keeps doing this "new" thing among us, let's let Him redefine normal. I want life-change stories like the one Pam Smith told Sunday to be normal. I want to see people coming to North-Mar and meeting with God in a life-transformation encounter to be normal. I want you and me to enjoy living the Christ life, which we all possess, like we never have before. Friends, God is creating a new "normal" at North-Mar, and He is doing that by changing what "normal" is for each of us. Thank you Jesus!
In Christ,
Pastor Scott
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