The Power of Being Normal
My wife and I had some friends over for dinner the other day.
We grilled.
We chilled.
We enjoyed the collective company.
Then our friends paid us a huge compliment. They called us the “normal” people. Specifically, they called me the “normal” pastor and Kerry the “normal” Christian.
How refreshing.
Now, our friends aren’t exactly church people. I’m not sure if they attend a weekly service anywhere. In the end it doesn’t matter–they’re our friends and we love them regardless.
I think I was so honored by that compliment because of all the cultural land mines we Christians like to step on: Don’t drink this. Don’t go there. Don’t talk to those people. Boycott this. Boycott that. On and on. More often than not, we set ourselves up to be the antagonist to the very people we’re called to love unconditionally. Weird.
Jesus Was Normal
I like being “normal” because I think Jesus was normal (aside from that whole Son of God thing). Case-in-point: the wedding at Cana. Jesus goes to a wedding with his friends. At this wedding, there are large amounts of wine being consumed. Gallons upon gallons of it. Then the unthinkable happens: the wine runs out! A major faux pas and a sure-fire ticket to Shameville for the bride, the groom and all of their family members.
Now, what does Jesus do in the face of this predicament? Does he moralize the situation and scold the wedding-goers about how drunkenness is a sin? Does he leave the wedding in a huff, boycotting the rest of the festivities? Does he offer to pray for the people who’ve had too much to drink? Does he hand out tracts? Invite people to synagogue? Never talk to the bride and groom again?
No. He doesn’t do any of that. Instead, he offers more wine. Not only that, it’s the really good stuff. Jesus gives the party a chance to continue in royal fashion. To me, that reeks of normalcy. I think most people like a good party and clearly Jesus is no exception. Normal.
The Power of Being Normal
There’s something that is so deeply satisfying when you know the people you are with feel as though they can be themselves. Our friends don’t feel like they have to change the way they talk or act around us just because they know I work at a church. I cannot tell you how rewarding that is.
Similarly, we don’t need to change who we are when coming to the dinner table with Jesus. We enter into a relationship with him and trust that he’ll lead us and guide us into the truth about who he is and who we are. That’s what it means to be a Christian. That’s what it means to be normal.
I highly enjoyed reading this. Thank you Justin! Hope you are well!
~Makella
Love this post!
I grew up traditional conservative Mennonite (almost as 'plain' as Amish) so it's amazing freedom to realize that I can love Jesus and be normal. I got caught up in the 'evangelical right-wing' world for a few years, then I realized I was only exchanging one set of rules (the ones I grew up with) with another set. Now I'm seeking Jesus and him only … without any rules added to him.
Go to a worship conference sometime and play “spot the normal person.” It's hard. We (worship leaders) try really hard to look cool with our Affliction t-shirts, Rob Bell glasses, faux-hawks, Chuck Taylors, skinny jeans and fair trade coffee. I'd like to meet someone normal at one of these conferences.
I like this idea, and I think a good way to put it is “be yourself.”
One thing I would point out is that it's very possible that Jesus prayed at this wedding, but what was recorded was his miracle, namely turning water into wine so the party could go on. Also there's no mention of why the wine ran out.
You're right, though. He supported the party going on by making sure there was _more_ wine. It's a powerful point, thanks for the thought food.
Go to a worship conference sometime and play “spot the normal person.” It's hard. We (worship leaders) try really hard to look cool with our Affliction t-shirts, Rob Bell glasses, faux-hawks, Chuck Taylors, skinny jeans and fair trade coffee. I'd like to meet someone normal at one of these conferences.
I like this idea, and I think a good way to put it is “be yourself.”
One thing I would point out is that it's very possible that Jesus prayed at this wedding, but what was recorded was his miracle, namely turning water into wine so the party could go on. Also there's no mention of why the wine ran out.
You're right, though. He supported the party going on by making sure there was _more_ wine. It's a powerful point, thanks for the thought food.