In the days, weeks, and months following a life changing event, life must go on, and some even say, "We've got to get back to normal."
But I don't believe we are supposed to go back to normal. The "old normal" doesn't exist anymore. To go back would mean nothing has changed. To move forward is admitting a change has occurred, and looking for ways to learn from it, grow through it and adjust to it.
In our case, the change is life without McKinsey.
A "new normal" is what we and the people around us are trying to adjust to. It is taking some getting used to, especially for her sweet family and close-knit friends, but through the hope, peace, and comfort we find in Christ, we are muddling through, one day at a time.
Think about when someone receives Christ. She is now a new creature. The old life of the sin nature has passed away, and the new life of overcoming the sin nature has begun. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Some, though, receive this gift of grace, but refuse to move forward in that grace, remaining in the "old normal" like a change never happened.
How can we deny the Holy Spirit when He has moved in and taken up residency in our hearts? That is incredibly powerful! We have His power inside of us to move forward; to learn all we can about our Savior and Lord, to grow up in our salvation, to make changes that cause us to sin less and love more.
Two years ago, McKinsey experienced life to the full because she ran from her "old normal" full speed ahead into God's "new normal" for her life. She wanted to be filled up with the Spirit of Christ, and not just a little bit filled up, but a whole lot filled up. She wasn't going to do this Christian thing half way. She didn't just want parts of Christ, she wanted ALL of Christ and All He had to offer.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28 NIV)
McKinsey was the epitome of God's "new normal"; a radically changed person who has fallen deeply in love with Jesus. This person has allowed the life-altering power of God to affect and infect every part of their being, their thinking, their living. Going back is not an option.
We can't return to life with McKinsey, but we can certainly move forward with life because of McKinsey; the way she loved her Jesus, her family, her friends, and those street boys in Kampala will affect our lives from now on.
Our girl is having no problem adjusting to her "new normal" and she is cheering us on to learn as much as we can about God, grow in our faith in Jesus Christ, and adjust to our "new normal" as well. Moving forward does not mean we forget where we've been. It just means we are learning and growing through and into what is new.
Jesus told His disciples at the Last Supper to remember Him: all that He had taught them, the love He had revealed from the Father, the truth they had received, and to look forward to what was to come - the Holy Spirit.
Jesus was going to die, be buried, rise again and ascend to the Father, but He would not leave them alone. He said He would send a Comforter (the Holy Spirit) to give them comfort and power to continue to proclaim Christ, baptize and make disciples, and then, He would be back! He wanted them to remember the hope He gave them, and to move forward in Him, not without Him.
So, let's remember the hope McKinsey lived for and revealed to all who met her, her hope in Christ, and let's move forward in continuing our calling to do the same...spread the Hope of Jesus Christ, baptize and make disciples, living in the hope of knowing that one day we will see Jesus face to face, and we will see our girl again, too.
Until then, this is our "new normal".
My Pleasure,
Melanie
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