We often live much of our lives trying to get "back to normal" but the truth is that we can only ever move "forward to normal." This doesn't mean we have to leave everything in the past or leave behind helpful traditions. We can't go back. We are moving forward. The Book of Psalms brings us into this movement forward but does so while still acknowledging the pain, disorder, and difficulty of walking through this world. 

Getting "back to normal" is our response to difficulty and disorder and it expresses our attempt to regain order and predictability or even control. The truth is that we are not in control no matter how much we try to be or think we are. The Psalms lead us to lean on him who is in control and who is bringing all things to their appointed and appropriate end (see Eph 1:9-10; Rom 11:33-36).

Moving "forward to normal" is our response to God who is bringing about a new heaven and new earth through Christ. The Bible acknowledges this excitement for what will be not what once was. According to God's promise "we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Pet 3:13). Paul writes, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11-13). Through faith in Christ we move forward trusting that God has something new and something better than we have ever had before. 

When we observe the Lord's Supper together by receiving the bread and the cup, we do so looking for the return of Christ. For as often as we eat the bread and drink the cup we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes (1 Cor 11:26). Forward to our new and eternal normal!

Grace and Peace, 

PJ