Do you remember when people used to use this term during the COVID-19 pandemic?
I remember, people saying it because life seemed so “abnormal” from what we were used to before and during that time we were not sure if life would ever be the same again and for many of us it was never the same again…
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the term “new normal” reappeared to point out how the pandemic completely transformed human life, including professional identity, economic subsistence, work and family organization, children’s education; and, in turn, demanding a radical revision of the traditional ways, practices and skills used to manage them.
Article exerpt
I went to watch a drama production at the theatre over the weekend. It was a narrative performance telling the stories and perspectives of five individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. It depicted the emotional and physical impact COVID-19 had on individuals and families from different backgrounds and cultures. In some instances, I could identify with some of the emotional depictions of the characters and in some of the other stories I was given only a perspective. A perspective that was a reminder and a reality of what I have seen and heard before. I was transported back again to a time when things were not “normal” to what we had known before, a time when the whole World was shaken up.
I knew of many people who lost loved ones during Covid. Sad stories that were so full of grief and pain and I also worried that I would never see my parents or my family again. I worried for my children and that I could not protect them from the invisible enemy. I listened to “conspiracy theories” and promises made by scientists, government and experts who tried to explain what was happening but none of them could give real assurance or comfort. It was a time of chaos and confusion, of death and uncertainty, of worry and helplessness, a time of wearing masks and no physical contact. But also a time of appreciation for our health services, of spending time with our families, of time slowing down, of communicating digitally and of solitude.
I am so grateful that I was spared the grief, but perspective gave me enough understanding to realise that life is a gift that none of us should take for granted. The COVID-19 pandemic gave me insight to evaluate what was important to me in this world. Life, not just mine but the people I love. I questioned my mortality. My family, did I make them a priority? Health is not guaranteed. Have I taken it for granted? If this was the new normal, what changes would I have to make to cope with it?
Just like COVID-19 changed our lives, so too our lives are changed when we are reborn. We also have to cope with this “new way” of doing things. A conforming of the mind. A new way of thinking and living and behaving.
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.
Romans 8:5
The new way of thinking is governed by the Spirit. It’s by faith and trust in God. It is peace amid chaos, its calm amid uncertainty, its trust when the World tells us, you are wrong. It’s knowing God is with us even “when we walk through the valley of the dead.” It’s as foreign as wearing a mask all day, but still strangely comforting.
The new way of doing is righteous. It’s the law of the Spirit versus leaning on my own understanding. It relies on God not me. It’s a matter of authority. Who is leading and who is being glorified? The Spirit of God is in complete control. I may worry about getting the virus or even death, but God alone is in control of that. The Spirit makes sure our minds understand that.
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Romans 8:14
As children of God, we are no longer afraid of our will, because we know God’s will is stronger. This is faith. It’s like saying, we no longer worry about dying from the Coronavirus because we know that whether we live or die, we will be fine because God is with us. The mind governed by the Spirit overrules the mind of the flesh. Faith does not have a will, faith says, “God, You know best.” It’s a wonderful gift and a reassurance that leaves you without fear. Slaves are held captive under the law, but children are free under God’s love.
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”
2 Corinthians 5:1
Even if our bodies are destroyed, the temple that hosts the Spirit of God, cannot be destroyed because it has not been built by human hands. This is not our doing, it is the confidence and reassurance we have, the lack of authority we have. This is the truth that overrules our minds. We cannot build spiritual temples. Jesus alone can build and destroy these temples. Whilst we are in this earthly tent that is our fleshly body living in this World, we have to contend with the earthly problems. Physical and mental disabilities, worries and stress, feelings of loneliness and sorrow, persecution and hate, slander and judgement. “We groan and are burdened because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” God wants nothing more than to have his children home and free from pain or sorrow. In this world that we live in, our “normal” is not free from worry or sorrow or evil. This is not what God promised or has destined for us.
However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:
“ ‘Heaven is my throne,
and the earth is my footstool.
What kind of house will you build for me? says the Lord.
Or where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things?’
Acts 7:49
God is perfect and heaven is where His throne is. The Earth is His footstool. He walks on this Earth, His Spirit is here, but Heaven is where His resting place is. “He, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”What is “to come” is better than what we have experienced only in some measure.
We wait patiently for such time to come, however, we all have a purpose here on Earth.Every person has a purpose for which God has created them. We may not even know what that purpose is, but God is wonderfully in control, we don’t have to worry about that.God does not make mistakes.
Just like COVID-19, our lives are shaken up now and again. There will continue to be wars and plagues, death, evil and things that shake us up on Earth, but perspective gives us the understanding that God is always in control more than that, we have hope, confidence, a gift of faith that we cannot control or explain which we carry in our hearts. It’s a promise, a guarantee by the creator of Heavens and Earth that life is so much more than this life on Earth. Death is merely the beginning of a new life. Of a new normal.
“I’ve walked through the fire so I could become all that you said I could be.”
Excerpt from song Taller and Stronger