Today someone within my hearing jokingly asked, “What’s normal?” I interjected, “One standard deviation on either side of the mean and two if we want to be generous.” If one can still remember the bell curve and the means of central tendency one can have quite an interesting discussion realizing “normal” is anything that comfortably fits within 68% or 95% of the population.
When in our teens we want more than anything to be “normal” in a population of teens. While we say we want to be an individual at the same time we do all we can to be like our peers. If we don’t then we aren’t “normal.” Then we are what is called an “outlier.” Do you remember the old Marine recruiting posters that said, “We are looking for a few good men”? God is looking for a few good outliers. He wants a few courageous people who will not conform without first giving thought. Giving thought is the key. We can conform if the conforming does not require the loss of integrity and personal ethics. Thoughtful conforming will not sacrifice character just to be part of the norm.
In 1 Peter 2:9 we are called to be a peculiar people. That doesn’t mean God wants us to look weird by our clothing or hair styles. The peculiarity is a call to be loving, honest and selfless. Wouldn’t it be grand if that were the norm? What an interesting world it would be if just 68% of the world would be completely trustworthy. Out national debt would be gone by next April if that happened.
Fortunately for all of us “normal” people, grace does abound and should we allow Jesus to forgive us heaven will be filled with normal people.
Written by Roger Bothwell on May 6, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org