Not Normal!!

He knows that he is dying. His shaking hands, wobbly knees, and the loss of his eyesight are grim reminders that his days are numbered. No, he does not have a terminal illness, but unfortunately he lives in a sinful world where people have to age and eventually die. He has been robbed of both eyesight and most of his hearing, and the days seem to be endlessly long to him. Mealtime is the only diversion to a very lonesome routine. The tears of frustration and helplessness coursing down his creased cheeks, a man who used to be so strong, independent, and energetic, really broke my heart. "Aging is a part of life" they say, but I would like to argue that it is not as normal as people like to believe. There is nothing normal about losing your independence, and becoming helpless like a little child. There is nothing normal about being robbed of your spouse of many years, and to see friends and children laid to rest. 

You see my friends, sin is not normal. Just like cancer is a disease which results in suffering and pain, so sin brings with it terrible side-effects. Sin is a disease that has plagued this earth for too many years. Have we grown so used to it that we define sin's dark results results as normal? While we are to live in this world, we are not to be of this world. Our eyes need to be directed on a better place. This sin-sick world is not our home. No, our home is beyond the clouds where the sun never sets, and  where no pain and sickness ever mars the happiness of the residents of that celestial city. Oh that we may be disgusted by the wretchedness of this world. More importantly however, may we so fall in love with Jesus that we can't help but help finish the work. May our hearts burn with such a longing to go home, that we simply have to share our hope with those around us. Heaven, my friends, is the normal we never knew. May we not be satisfied with anything less!

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Rev 21:4