Redefining Normal

A Very Normal New Year

By Joe Denbow, January 05, 2025

Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Their new normal was informed by their sin… not God’s creation.


God’s normal is .

Our normal is .


1. normal is not normal

1 Corinthians 3:18-20 Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” And again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.”


2. we work within our God given & gifting.

Micah 6:8 … and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Matthew 22:36-40 Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.


3. Over the long haul we pursue God-sized dreams and visions.

We overestimate what we can do in the short term, but we underestimate what God can do through a lifetime of faithfulness.

Luke 16:10-12 “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

Ephesians 3:20-21 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.