Monday morning arrived, and I couldn’t remember what I needed
to do first.
For the previous four years, I had observed the same morning
routine. My profession as a school teacher required me to arrive at school by
7:30 a.m. But things changed when I changed employment. I still kept office
hours at my new employment, but the hours were variable, giving me more
flexibility.
My first morning was slightly confusing. I was unsure whether
to follow the same order I used before or rearrange it. I chose the latter but
soon found myself confused about what to do first. I also forgot to do some
things I had been doing with predictability for the last four years.
The trip from Egypt to the Promised Land was brief—or at least should have been (Deuteronomy 2:3). Stubborn rebellion by the Israelites caused them to wander in the wilderness for forty years until the rebels died. That’s when God gave them a new normal. No more wilderness. Now it was time for them to enter the Promised Land.
New norms can bring anxiety. The Israelites would immediately
pass through territory belonging to the Edomites. While they were relatives,
they weren’t friendly relatives. God reminded his people that he had been with
them in the past and would be with them on this new normal journey as well. God
never forsakes us when he leads us into new norms. His indwelling Spirit has
the power to soothe our anxieties regardless of how intense they may seem.
New norms can usher in unprecedented victories. With a new
fighting force, God led his children to capture land belonging to Sihon the
Amorite and Og, king of Bashan. Along with anxiety came victory. God doesn’t
lead us to new normals so that we’ll have some place fresh to go. He has plans
that will involve us in his Kingdom advancement.
New norms invite the enemy’s attention. Moses experienced
victory, but because of earlier disobedience, he couldn’t enter the Promised
Land. God has plans for victory by leading us to the new norms, but as always,
our enemy works to bring defeat. Honing our faith in the new normal keeps us
from falling into the enemy’s traps.
Rather than being overwhelmed by anxiety, enjoy the new norms that God brings you.
Father, help me to trust you when you bring me into new norms.
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