Normal? No Thank You!

Normal these days looks like road rage on the freeway, worry as a hobby, and incessant scrolling like it’s a spiritual gift. It’s snapping at waiters, grumbling about politics, and living exhausted, anxious, and perpetually offended.

But Jesus didn’t come to make us normal. He came to make us new.

In Matthew 5, He throws normal right out the window. “Blessed are you when people insult you… rejoice and be glad.” Rejoice? When people are lying about me? When the world goes sideways? That’s not normal. That’s heavenly.

We weren’t saved to blend in. We were called to stand out. To live like citizens of a better Kingdom where love, mercy, and truth are our native language.

We’re the ones who take the high road — even when it’s uphill and under construction. We smile when it makes no sense. We bless when others curse. We show up with casseroles and compassion. We don’t just go to church — WE ARE the church!

We are:
Lovingly different – loving the hard-to-love, the never-gonna-love-you-back, and yes, even the person who took the last piece of pie.

Truthfully different – not with snark, but with steady, grace-filled truth that anchors us.

Mercifully different – giving second chances like God gives breath— freely and often.

Prayerfully different – choosing knees over noise, believing God hears and answers because He promised He would.

This kind of living isn’t always easy — but it is extraordinary. And when the world says “Why are you like this?” we can smile and say, “Because of Who I belong to.”

So no, we’re not normal. Not even close. And that’s the best news of all.

Come on, friend. Let’s take the high road together. The view’s better up here anyway!