Ah, Life....

"My life is SO normal! I don't want to live a normal life!"

   Don't tell me I'm the ONLY one who's thought something similar to this. [wink] Actually, I didn't just think this - I bawled this to my mom. [ah, the joys of being a very emotional person] BUT, that's not a great story for sharing- so I'll save you the sorry details and get on to the point of this post. =)

   For those of you who have thought/ are thinking something similar to the above quote - I ask you, can any of us really say that? I mean, by what standard do we judge what is "normal" anyway?
   In reality, no one lives a "normal" life - all our lives are different, all are unique; and for those of us who are following our Lord, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and who are trusting in Christ Yeshua (Jesus) alone for salvation - our lives should be anything but "normal".

   I'm preaching to the choir here, because, I love adventure and excitement & I detest "normal" - 'cause "normal" = "boring". I want excitement, I want thrill, I want difference - not normal mediocre living. This is something I've struggled with, because, I've always [as long as I can remember] also struggled with contentment. Contentment is probably the trait I need most in my life - and it is one that God has been trying to teach me this year. =)
   But, I've realized [drum-roll, please] that since I am the daughter of the King of kings, follower and servant of Yeshua (Jesus), and have the spirit of the living God within me, my life is totally NOT normal. It is different - just like I said I wanted!
Matthew 7:13&14"Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

   The verse above seems to imply that the road we are on is one that only few travel, does it not? Wouldn't that mean that our lives couldn't be classified as "normal" or "mediocre" then? Yes, exactly! If only few find and walk this road that I am walking, then it isn't my life that is normal - it's their's.

   Our lives should illuminate with the Fruit of the Spirit - which sets us apart from the rest of the world, and which push us further from being able to say we have a "normal" life.
Galatians 5:22&23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, self control. Nothing in the Torah stands against such things.

   What is more, in the Bible, God calls us to be set apart, holy, different, etc. - our God actually calls us to be the opposite of "normal"! 
   'Now, that's great' - you may say - 'but being set-apart, holy, and different spiritually is completely different than being physically different and not "normal".' And, you are correct, there is a difference here, but, with Christ, all things are possible! 
   Our minds are very powerful and if we continually tell ourselves that we live an oh, so boring normal life - then eventually we will truly believe it and actions that complement those beliefs (complaining, discontentment, irritability, etc.) will follow. For "Your Actions will ALWAYS follow Your Beliefs". [quote from Facing the Giants]

   If you think (and bemoan) that you are living a "normal" life - think again - change your mindset. If we are truly striving to follow Christ with all our might, then each day will challenge us to draw closer to God by following Him more fully. And that can be anything but "normal" [*IF your definition of "normal" is interchangeable with "boring".*] Had to add that, because I know not everyone sees "normal" and "boring" as interchangeable ;-)

   Think on this also - I read [so, I'm not sure exactly how reliable the source was] that many people are actually afraid of living a normal life. I thought that sounded pretty accurate, and rather sad. Considering that you cannot live a "normal" life, because everyone has their own opinion of what normal is and therefore what you say would be the perfect, exciting, as-far-from-normal-as-you-can-get life, would be considered tiresomely normal to the next guy. So, many people are afraid of living in a way that is relative to who you are! How confusing!!!
   If we spend our time and energy bemoaning the fact that our lives aren't exciting enough we will miss the opportunities the Lord gives us each day. Opportunities to do things for Him and others. Opportunities to experience joy & peace.
   As servants of the Lord of Hosts, the Most High God - our lives should be so different from normal that other people will think, "What is so different about him/her?" and they could very well ask us why! How exciting is that?!?

   The deeper issue here is: contentment. If we are truly content with out lives we won't begrudgingly mutter, "My life is so boring! I wish I had a life like her's/his'." God gave each of us the life we have & He doesn't want us to waste it by being discontent and complaining how unexciting it is! PLUS - if you make the most of every day living, I think you'll find that your life isn't so boring after all! 
   ~ In fact, I've been getting more and more excited as I write this post! [honest, truly, I am] ~

   After all, Life is What YOU Make of It!