Encouragement for people tempted to quit

The real new normal: gullible us!

sonnyholmes
May 8, 2020
3 min read

The real new normal may be that Americans will believe just about anything. Sure, the pandemic, or Plandemic according to some accounts, has produced enough conspiracy theories, sinister story lines, and political intrigue to not only generate some laughs, but also to leave many of us confused and disoriented. Of course, this gullibility stretches far beyond the limits of Covid-19. There's something deep in the human spirit---perhaps the compelling, mysterious ego---that shoves many of us to the edges of fact and fiction as the originators of of some revolutionary idea. A couple of examples---

Recently several observers published pictures of beach crowds violating the social

distancing restrictions. There were large groups of sun-bathers, surfers, and other

beach bums frolicking up close and personal. Soon after, someone posted a

beautiful color photo of thousands of people on a crowded beach, under the

headline, "Arizona beach goers stretch social distancing orders", or some similar

title. Dozens of people responded with criticism of those careless Arizona bathers.

Give me a break! Ocean beaches in Arizona!

Another had a ocean side theme. There was a picture of hundreds of people

swarming a beach in California. The same photograph portrayed beach people in

Florida. Another, using the same shot, was attributed to South Carolina, and

another the Gulf Coast. What a coincidence that so many quadruplets could be

pictured on beaches at the same time.

OK, I know human gullibility and naivete existed long before the coronavirus. I mean, Adam and Eve certainly fell for an incredible story when tempted in the Garden of Eden. It's really a rare day when we don't hear about, or more likely read about a friend or loved one being enticed by a get-rich-quick-scheme or pyramid program, short-cut to fame and fortune, or some other sensational discovery. In many instances, like the Covid-19 pandemic drama, they are incredible revelations or insider information that is just too juicy to overlook. Who of us wouldn't love to be remembered as the one who unearthed Solomon's mines in Mayberry USA?

Just the same, most of live live within fingers reach of the old information super-highway as a verification point of the incredible news we are often asked to believe. Usually the touch of a finger is the difference between what is fact and what is fake. We don;t do it because we like the sensational affect of sharing something hardly believable, the thrill of a roller-coaster as one pundit opined.

This Christian worldview that is supposed to be my life guide, addresses the human frailty of being naive and accepting anything that comes across our news screens---

The simple believe everything, but the prudent gives thoughts to his steps.

Proverbs 14: 15, ESV

The naive inherit foolishness. But the sensible are crowned with knowledge. Proverbs 14: 18, ESV

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching

ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will

turn away from listening to the truth and wonder off into myths. 2 Timothy 4: 3-4, ESV

How long will you gullible people love being so gullible? How long will you mockers find

joy in your mocking? How long will you fools hate knowledge?

Proverbs 1: 22, ESV

And, there are dozens more. They are part of the sadness these months under the mysterious puzzles of Covid-19. History testifies to our gullible ways. They existed even in the days of Solomon and the other Bible writers. We egocentric humans just won't learn. And, the new normal may be simply a repeat of the past, when we chase the sensational rather than wait for the facts.

Resistance.

sonnyholmes
May 7, 2020
3 min read

We all have built-in resistance systems. From earliest childhood we know what is tasteful or distasteful, what soothes and comforts us, and what is aggravating. What is more, even as infants we have distinct ways to register our dislike of something---a grimace, frown, food on the high-chair, a sound, defiant words, and eventually disobedience. There's this inner me-myself-and I control mechanism that communicates our resistance to whatever is lighting our fire. And, human resistance systems are on parade right now. Covid-19 has ignited many of them. Anticipation of the new normal everybody is talking about has raised the ire of many more. We're pretty much a spoiled culture, accustomed to getting what we want. The restrictions and adjustments we are being told about by the medical community, those in the financial world, and government officials smack of sour grapes or rotten tomatoes, the more trendy term these days. What in the world?

All the speculation about the new normal has us all guessing. Up front we have to admit that we really don't know what's coming. It's merely speculation at this point. But, even for a novice in these matters like me, this guesswork takes two predictable norms. There certainly will be big picture issues, those that apply to government, medical research and care, financial planning, employment systems, insurance modifications, educational policies. and matters on a scale above my personal household. At the the same time, there will definitely be new normal realities that move into our homes, go to work with us every day, and define life at the nitty-gritty level of everyday. They may discomfort us, interrupt our normal life styles, whatever normal really is, and impact us at more personal levels. And, these are the new normals that we're more likely to resist. These will touch the me-myself-and-I aspects of life that are most sacred to us. You know, my personal autonomy, the do-not-touch areas of my persona life.

My Christian worldview gives guidance when my resistance modes are activated. Up front is the biblical counsel to remain submissive to government authority. Again, as in previous days, the Apostle Paul's word to the Roman believers seem most applicable---

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except

from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists

the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur

judgment.

Romans 13: 1-2, ESV

In all of the speculation and guessing about what the new normal will be this is Bible certainty. Believers are expected to follow and submit to these new normal activities and practices even though they may produce discomfort and a certain amount of angst in our personal lives.

Jesus Christ spoke about resistance as well. Yes, his teaching was radical, spiritual truth in a self-centered, me-myself-and-I world. He said that we should not even resist people with evil intent.

But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right

cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matthew 5: 39, ESV

It must be noted that in this instance he wasn't speaking about the Adversary, Satan, the ultimate evil one. Yes, we are to resist him. Here, Jesus was explaining the "other cheek" response to people with evil intent. We are to be those second-mile believers who witness our faith by taking the demands of the world around us to another level. That level is to demonstrate our faith by being as much like Christ as us sinful, self-centered people can be.

These are strange times. We will be challenged by the new normal resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. Resistance is one of those human responses that we know and cherish. We learned it in infancy. But, we must exercise great wisdom in being resistant to what is coming, as speculative as it is right now.

Lessons learned.

sonnyholmes
May 6, 2020
3 min read

Being perplexed and mystified about the meaning of normal adds layers of uncertainty to our comprehension of new normal. It's as if new normal is always going to be something dreaded or negative, an alteration of our favored patterns, routines, habits, and practices. Throughout Covid-19 we have imagined restrictive health measurements, limited public interaction, further government intrusion in our private lives, product shortages, fluctuating prices, a state run church, disintegrating constitutional rights, and hundreds of other dark side diversions. The truth is none of us knows what the new normal of life will be when the restrictions are lifted. I mean, most of us can't even define normal. How can we even perceive, except with our vivid minds eyes, what the new normal will be?

Like it or not, new normal is often application of life lessons learned. You know the deal. Crisis or hardship are often our most teachable moments. The many threats of the coronavirus have sharpened our learning capacities. People at every level of American life have envisioned change in the aftermath of the pandemic, some changes thought to be senseless and mundane, others for the continuation of our species. Whatever they are, we will be expected to adjust our lives to the new norms. And, the lessons of life are not always bad. In most cases they open doors of awareness in us, learnings that compel us to needed change. Our new normal is often the shocking truth of directions gone wrong, things that should be corrected.

Circumstances intersect life at several significant points. They can surely dominate us, claiming our energies and resources, shifting our vision and expectations downward. Just the same these circumstances can teach us, lessons that create our new normal realities. Being aware of them and learning from them is a strong Christian discipline. Here are two examples. There are many more---

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5: 18, ESV

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those

who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8: 28, ESV

The point is that life circumstances instruct us. Because God is the author of them, we should be thankful, even when they go against the grain. God works all things together for our good if we love him and seek his purposes. So, yes, the wise among us will learn valuable life lessons from Covid-19. They will comprise our new normal when this thing is over. The new normal will not necessarily be government dictates, economic disaster, or cultural mania. The lessons learned may be health related advancements, many needed employment adjustments, greater societal awareness of the least of these in our population, even stronger connections of the modern church to the world around us. Who knows? Even the experts are undecided and questioning the lessons learned from Covid-19. I mean, it's not over yet, even those of us anxious for the resumption of life as we once knew it. New normal is yet a question mark.

Still, my Christian worldview, and I do pray the belief systems of millions of others, will be the prayer of King David---

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me

on level ground!

Psalm 143: 10, ESV

The new normal is often the lessons learned from life. Lessons we should learn.