Normal?

1 Kings 15:11-12 (NKJV)

11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David. 12 And he banished the perverted persons from the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

Asa’s father was Abijam and The Bible says of him, “And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.” Asa did not follow his father, but instead followed The Father and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

Normal is something that can be hard to define. Our view of normal is affected by what we see around us, what we know to be facts, and even the way we live.  In the United States it is normal to eat from a plate with forks, spoons and knives. However in some countries it is normal to eat with the hand and in other countries it is normal to eat with other utensils, such as chopsticks. So what is normal varies widely.

Some of those who lived under Abijam’s rule obviously found it normal to be perverted in their ways and to worship hand formed idols. They may have thought nothing about their actions, for it was the way they were raised and taught.

Yet we find Asa departed from his father’s ways to do what the Lord considered to be right. Asa had obviously studied the words of the Lord and learned what normal was according to the Lord. Asa made changes to agree with God’s ways and not those of his father. Asa developed a new view of normality and improved the lives of the people.

Just because something seems normal does not make it right. I remember hearing a psychologist talking once about a patient who had been abused. As this patient described things to the psychologist they would talk as if the abuse was something normal and expected. The question came for the patient, “Do you think this is normal in every household?” The patient responded, “I guess so, isn’t it?” You see the patient had a different view of normal because of their life experiences.

When you look at the things in the world, take time to ask God, “Is this normal?” Look for God’s response and choose those things that are right and are to the benefit of others. Seek God’s wisdom and learn what should be normal as opposed to what we think is normal.