Everyday Life Has Been Hacked

I have lost count of how many days have gone by since the Coronavirus hit the world with its fury. What I do know is that I am navigating a new normal. I woke up in my own home, in the city where I live; in the country I call my homeland, yet nothing is familiar. Everyday life has been hacked. My normal routine doesn’t exist anymore and I am navigating on uncharted territory. I know I am not alone; I am not in a bad dream, although I wish I could wake up and it would all be normal again, but the world is facing unprecedented times.

I wish I could take a drive up the coast to see mom and dad; stop along the way at my favorite rest stops, grab a bite to eat and my favorite drink— diet Dr. Pepper. (Don’t judge my choice of drink.) I wish I could hop on a plane and give my newly born grandson a hug and sing to him, look into his precious eyes and hold him close. I wish I could fly cross-country and see my daughter and spend time with her on the beach. I wish my hubby and I could plan a golf day, go to the beach, or just take a walk together around the neighborhood. I wish I could find toilet paper at the store, and meat to grill out. I wish I could worship at church with my friends. I wish I could travel to celebrate my birthday. I wish …

Wow, so much has changed, yet nothing has changed.

I sit today in my small corner of my house that is my quiet place to meet with God. He is still here; He is still speaking to me— comforting me. He is still on His throne. He is not worried. He is not rattled. He still has a plan, and He still has the power to make all things new in the blink of an eye. So what has really changed?

God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Maybe the world I call normal isn’t normal at all—not for me. After all I know Jesus prayed to the Father and said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” (John 17:16). Did I loose touch with home? Did I loose focus of the mission, the reason I was born?

As I awoke this morning and found myself anxious and the day hadn’t even begun, I knew I had to go straight to the only place I could find true peace—God’s presence.

The world as I knew it is spinning out of control and I was feeling the pull of gravity to suck me in and everything within me was screaming—let go!

I have been thinking a lot about what has been taken away, what is out of my control and what I really have control over. I have discovered in a very short time—there is not much I can control. I have been led to believe that I could. I could control where I went and when I went there. Who I spent time with and who I didn’t. Where and what I wanted to eat. When and where I wanted to shop. Where and when I wanted to travel. It’s all been a delusion. I’m not in control of any of that. So today, I like the rest of this world is having a new normal designed for us. But what if it wasn’t suppose to be my normal at all?

I sit and I ponder what really matters. I sit with the creator of the universe and I seek His wisdom. How do I navigate these uncharted waters?

I have studied God’s word for decades now and I find it impacting my life more than ever in theses times of global uncertainty.

This world crisis has been a wake up call to go deeper and examine my perspective on what normal looks like. I look into the Holy Scriptures and I read:

• 2 Corinthians 4:18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

How much of my day is focused upon the eternal? How many hours a day do I allow myself to get caught up in the temporal things that are sure to perish?

I sit and think about all that has been stripped away in a few weeks, yet God is still the same. All of what has been taken away hasn’t changed that fact. What am I to learn from all of this?

I have experienced enough of life to know, if I am going to go through change, I am going to learn something valuable in the journey.

• Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Do I live each day as if tomorrow Jesus could come and I would be before the throne room of God. How then would the earthly things matter one bit?

• Philippines 4:8 Finally, brothers and sister, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Oh the things I allow to take up space in my mind. I like to think I am very conscious of the things I meditate on, however, the everyday thoughts and concerns draw me away from all I know I should be focused upon.

• James 4:14 why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

Ouch! I know this—yet everyday I go through my normal routine… until my normal no longer exist. Change is inevitable in this world.

What is normal anyway?

I am realizing day-by-day, even more so now in the midst of the worldwide chaos, that to think there can be any normal outside of a life lived conformed to God’s kingdom is nothing more than deception. “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”  (Matthew 6:10).

Not just knowing there is a God, but life being transformed because of knowing Him. Everything outside of authentic transformation by His love leaves to a false security.

Oh, there is much which can be enjoyed in this world, but ultimately my heart, mind, and life must be grounded in the only truth that never changes—the only normal that actually exist—a life anchored in God’s kingdom.

My new normal is a life grounded in God’s kingdom alone—for it cannot be shaken. If it isn’t part of God’s word, I’m holding it loosely. I am making a vow before God today to never again wake up anxious about anything I cannot control—I’m standing anchored in His promises.

• Philippians 4:6-7 does not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard you hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Proverbs 3:5-6 trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight.

These are two of my go-to-scriptures that are foundational to my life. They are promises I have come to trust and rely on. No longer can they be my go-to-scriptures. They need to become my lifeline promises.

Lifeline promises . . . those things that are my normal, extracted from God’s kingdom, not false worldly hope. This world is not the end of the end, and living as though it is—is to live blinded to the truth.

Navigating my new normal is to navigate the word of God. When I find a principle that is not active in my life, I will sow it deep within my spirit until it grows life-giving fruit. Fruit grown in the only soil that cannot be contaminated—the soil of my heart. Tilled by the great I Am. No disease can penetrate the soil of my spirit. I will live on forever—there is no need for fear.

“Fear not, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). This is normal

An important part of navigating a new normal is to have a guide that knows where they are leading. I have chosen my guide.

-Lucy Ann

Challenge question:

How has the new normal affected your perspective on life?

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