Normopa-what?

As I was sitting here listening to Beyonce belt face off with fervor, I got to thinking.

(Yeah, this post was inspired by Sasha Fierce. Sometimes God works in mysterious ways, okay?!)

But hear me out. It really has nothing to do with Beyonce. Her sweet, sweet riffs and all-encompassing female power really just got me thinking about this very special group of women from my church I occasionally get the opportunity to meet with. Every time I attend our gatherings I simply cannot help but notice how each friendly face that arrives in the coffee shop on Thursday morning is so beautiful and special in their own individual way, and how they are always eager to share something wonderful to contribute to the group. Each week, these women come to the table to offer everything on their hearts and minds, including where they are at in their intimate and personal journey with God. Pretty fearless, wouldn't you agree?

So there I was, thinking about these exceptional women and singing with old pal Beyonce in my own extra delusional Grammy performance, and something occurred to me. Y'know something that Beyonce does on stage that we don't all do more often in life? She oozes confidence and conviction in whatever it is she happens to be singing and swangin' that hair about. If Beyonce does this about the content of her love songs, why don't we pull on our figurative spandex and confidently declare the life-altering news of our faith for all to see, hear, and consider on a regular basis? Why don't we practice such bravery and risk appearing vulnerable and weird?

Well for one thing, we generally speaking, are a really petrified people.

We, generally speaking, care more about reporting back to other mere human beings and pleasing them, instead of checking in with the One who created these people to begin with and also happened to establish all semblance of order, morality, and everything else we can see or imagine.

Logically, that makes NO sense.

But we do this because people are tangible. They are physical matter in space and time, with lots and lots of opinions about who we are and what we should be. If we don't maintain the proper perspective, it can become incredibly easy to give more focus to the incessant and audible voices of others than to the only opinion that actually matters--that of our just, loving, and yes, invisible God.

I suppose that's why the writer of Hebrews refers to faith as

"...being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

Because without putting any fancy-shmancy terminology attached to it, what it all boils down to is this:

Having and maintaining faith is DIFFICULT.

Being humans with five senses, we respond completely and naturally to everything that these senses experience. We also like things accessible to us, immediate for use, ready-made. Big Mac from the drive-through, please.

Of course fries included. What planet are you from?

But the thing is, what we carry around with us-- God's incredible promises, His hope, the Good News about His Son-- is nothing to be hidden away in the recesses of our minds or hearts, or to think about on a rainy day. It was meant to be shared. In Jesus' often-discussed Sermon on the Mount, He tells the crowd of listeners

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

Perhaps you're afraid of drawing any special attention to yourself when it's so much easier just to do the "socially appropriate" thing by keeping your mouth shut. I very much hear you and relate to you. Who wants to be "that" person? Did you know that there is actually a special word used to describe our emotional state when we let fear rule our public behavior?

Normopothy } the idea of normopothy describes people who are so focused on blending in and conforming to social norms that it becomes a kind of mania. A person who is normotic is often unhealthily fixated on having no personality at all, and only doing exactly what is expected by society.

Maybe those who are keeping their mouths shut don't have a firm enough belief in anything substantially worthy enough to proclaim. Or heck, maybe they do. But how wonderful would it be if you were the one to talk to them about forgiveness and Jesus in a way that they finally understood for the very first time in their life?

I've heard it said that something we should often consider is that we may very well be the only Bible some will ever read.

Don't think of that as some ridiculously hefty responsibility; think of it as a privilege and a joy. Sharing your faith in Christ is, after all, what you were called to do, isn't it?

So? Chat it up! Be proud of your faith. It is earth-shattering and heaven-blessed. And you can trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the strength and the words you need to share what you believe. (Matthew 10:20)

Come on now, don't be shy. Would THIS GIRL keep quiet?

Impossible.