“Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.”
Romans 8:37 AMPC
When this all began, I was insistent: “This is NOT my new normal.” I would roll my eyes and my spirit would cringe every time I heard the phrase, “new normal.” I was determined I would never accept this new way of life as normal.
But somewhere along the way, ZOOM bible studies became normal. Preaching to a camera became a skill. Attending church while washing dishes became routine. Remote learning became the usual. A dinning room table serving as a teacher’s desk became standard. A 10-ft commute was welcomed and only wearing pants with an elastic waist brought a level of freedom I never knew I wanted.
Somewhere along the way, that which I dreaded, that which I resisted became “normal”.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have not accepted this way of life as normal. I look forward to the day when we can roam about our nation freely. I have to see my two oldest children. I need a mani-pedi. My heart breaks for all the small business owners struggling and for children whose school year ended abruptly, and for those struggling with depression. Like you, I’m ready for this to be over.
But somewhere along the way, Paul’s words, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” became more than a cliche but a reality. Somewhere in this journey, I decided to give God’s Word supremacy over my circumstances and my emotions. At some point, Roman’s 8:37 became more than a platitude but an undeniable truth:
In the middle of isolation, I am still more than conquerors through Christ.
In the midst of a quarantine, I am still victorious in Christ.
In the thick of a Pandemic, I still win because He has already won the ultimate victory.
God’s love does not wane in difficult circumstances.
Therefore, while this still is NOT my new normal,
I will thrive in it.
I will find contentment in it.
I will stand in this storm, drenched, perhaps but standing nonetheless.
I will declare God’s Word is true even if I have to preach to a camera or over Zoom.
I am more than a conqueror at all times, through every circumstance.
Not my new normal but still walking in victory.