So many of us spend so much of our lives trying to fit in. We want to be normal, stick out as little as possible, but also be known and loved in the same ways we see the "popular" or "influential" people are. We strive to stick with the trends, keep up with what's cool, and look, act, and speak just like everyone else. We want to be normal.
But normal is defined as "conforming to a standard, type, or regular pattern".
And I don't know about you, but normal doesn't sound very fun.
Normal sounds like changing who I am to fit a standard. Normal sounds like being predictable, lacking uniqueness, and honestly, losing all individuality. Normal sounds like what everyone else is doing.
Don't get me wrong, sometimes normal is good. I love routines and predictability. I have a strict morning routine that is the same every single day before school. I eat the same thing for breakfast every day. I plan out my week on Sundays. I love patterns, and I love knowing what to expect.
But my personality? My identity? Do I really want to be predictable? Do I want to change who I am to fit a standard or type? Do I simply want to be another fish in the sea?
Um, no. No, and no.
Maybe normal isn't as great as it seems. Maybe what everyone else is doing isn't really for me.
Not only does normal not seem like any fun at all, God didn't call us to be normal or stick with the standards. He calls us to be lights, to not conform with the patterns of this world.
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." - Romans 12:2
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." - 1 Peter 2:9
“You are the light of the world.....In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:14,16
God has created us to be better than normal. He's created to be lights, set apart, all for His glory. The standards we keep trying to live up to? He has so much more in store for us, and none of it requires us to achieve "perfection" or compromise ourselves.
Friends, you can be you. You don't have to change you are to fit a standard or the norm because God has called you to live boldly, courageously you as you follow Him. You don't have to try so hard to fit in, because God made you just the way you are for a reason, and that is a beautiful thing.
When we stop trying to "be normal", Jesus can lead us into a life of adventure and authenticity, where we can step into who He created us to be (not what the world says we have to be to be successful, beautiful, or happy). When we stop trying to "be normal", we can experience a new type of joy because we are abiding in the Lord, not in anxiety or pressure as we try to achieve something we were never meant to strive for in the first place. When we stop trying to "be normal", we can shine for Jesus in a completely new way, because He wants to do something in us that only we can do.
Jesus is inviting us into a life full of joy, peace, and love - and we just have to accept the invitation. We don't have to change ourselves, because we are all welcome at His table. His arms are open wide, simply waiting for us to say "yes!" to this free, unashamed way of life, and we can come as we are. Jesus is inviting you to this better than normal way of life, and you can come as you are.
I don't know about you, but that sounds way better than trying to change myself to fit an ever changing standard.
I'm here to tell you that you don't have to fit the standards to be enough. I want you to tell you that God has called you to something better than normal, and that doesn't require you to be predictable, lack your uniqueness, or lose your individuality. I want you to know that this "better than normal" life God has for us truly is better than anything we can imagine or create here on earth, because as we embrace everything He calls us to, we experience the most heart-transforming love, joy, and freedom - one that words cannot explain.
Have you ever felt pressure to compromise yourself to be "normal" or fit the standard? How has God shown you that He has a better way?
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