It was a beautiful Friday evening in the summer. The afternoon sun was beating down but a slight breeze made the evening sun bearable.
My head was full of details. I was in full Martha mode. The text from a friend cancelling because of sickness did not help my state at all. Amazon had dropped the ball. Worship was cancelled because we had to reschedule due to rain. Here I was, a fifty-something woman, sitting in the back of a pickup truck, sweating, and organizing cans of food and goodie bags for children as my husband helped me load the truck.
This is not what I thought ministry would like. So I asked myself, “Why can’t I just be a normal Christian.” You know, a normal Christian – go to church on Sunday, give a little, pray a little and let the church staff do the heavy lifting.
God quickly reminded me, while that maybe the American normal Christian, it is not His idea of normal Christianity as modeled by the 1st century church or modeled by Jesus. Normal Christianity happens outside the four walls and is marked by signs, wonders, love, and generosity.
The truth is, I want normal. I want supernatural. I want to love supernaturally. I want to give supernaturally. I want to perform miracles supernaturally. I want to see His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. This the normal I desire.
So why am I complaining? Because I also want anointing without annoyance. I want power without pain. I want to lead without serving. I want faith without risk. I want comfort. But alas, that is not God’s idea of ministry.
Jesus didn’t promise comfort. He promised a Comforter. He didn’t promise perfection. He promised His Presence. He didn’t promise problem-free. He promised power-full.
So after I had my attitude and expectations adjusted, I went out and had a normal night in the Lord. What did that look like?
Supernatural healing.
Testimony of supernatural provision after agreeing in prayer.
The joy of miraculously finding the perfect pair of shoes in your size.
Laughing, breaking bread, and enjoying His presence.
Being filled with spirits (not the Holy Spirit) yet feeling the power of the Holy Spirit when someone prays for you.
Smiles and excitement on kids’ faces.
Coming together as one from diverse ethnicities, ages, socio-economic backgrounds and denominations.
Feeding the hungry.
Hearing the voice of God and prophesying and encouraging others.
This IS normal church. This IS church beyond the confines of the four wall. This IS His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
I am a normal Christian.
“And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,”
Acts 2:46 AMPC
PM me if you want to join us in being a normal Christian next month as we do VBS in the park.
