Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Being "Normal"?

You were running well. Who prevented you from obeying the truth?...you are called to freedom, brothers.1

Why do some Christians expect others to dress the way they do when they come to church? Why do some Christians expect us to sing the same songs the church was singing 300 years ago? Is it because that’s what is “normal”?
And why do smaller churches try to copy what large mega-churches do? Do mega-church leaders get together and decide what church ought to look like for the rest of us? Do they decide what is “normal” for a church?
Why do all churches do Vacation Bible School, Sunday School, morning and evening worship hours all the same way? Who decided what was “normal”? And what makes “normal” church so desirable?
Don’t you ever get tired of being a “normal” Christian? “Normal” pastors, for example, are supposed to wear a suit and tie to preach, and they wouldn’t embarrass themselves by driving a school bus — especially if they don’t have to.
“Normal” Christians don’t risk their reputations, don’t risk their jobs, and don’t risk being thought insane. Whatever happened to the Jesus Freaks? They were truly freaks, but they won thousands to faith in Jesus Christ.
Sometimes I think trying to be a “normal” Christian prevents many from obeying the truth. From being real disciples. But God did not call us to conformity, He called us to liberation — to freedom. Freedom to be insane for Jesus!
Don’t you ever get tired of being “normal”?

1 Galatians 5:7,13 Copyright © June 3, 2008 Darril Deaton