Finding Normalcy and Restoration in the Middle of Chaos

Things will go back to normal, or so they say. We’ve been waiting and longing for the day when we finally gather with friends, eat at a packed restaurant with our family, and worship and have fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Oh, how good it is to think about the moment when we finally break from this year of impermanence and see some semblance of normalcy.

We’ve never felt more vulnerable to the changing of times. Even Mary and all the Jews were anxious about the lack of permanence after the dynasty of David ended. However, one thing became abundantly clear: God has prepared a way for David’s line to be restored forever. That in the middle of fleeting peace and prolonged chaos, Mary, the Jews, and Gentiles like us can rejoice and be comforted by the fact that there is a source of goodness, joy, peace, and love that’s never ending. That there is a Kingdom everlasting. Luke 1:33

The circumstances we are currently experiencing are nothing when we think about what God has prepared for us in His eternal reign. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9, No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.

 

What kind of normalcy and restoration are we after?

When we talk about getting back to our normal routine –our normal life– post-pandemic, we can’t help but think of ourselves in the center of it. It’s about the convenience and comfort that were taken from us by the current crisis that we want restored. These fleeting delights are not supposed to be in our hearts and minds.

It may not come as a surprise to you, but let me remind us all that everything in this world is just as ephemeral as the troubles we’re going through. Every good thing that we can think of on this earth is temporary. Even sin, shame, pain are all temporary.

The kind of normalcy and restoration that we should be after is with God above. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth, as Paul puts it. Colossians 3:2

After all, the center of the story of restoration is not us. It is God. He’s the protagonist. He is the source of goodness. He’s the One bringing about the joyous forever ending that will never be lost.

 

Our Creator became flesh to give us true restoration

Jesus was sent to us to complete the redemptive narrative of salvation. Luke 1:31 and Matthew 1:21 are in harmony in telling us that our Messiah will surely come and that we shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.

However, knowing this Truth and the real meaning of restoration is not to be kept only to ourselves. God has specifically commanded us to go and share it with everyone. Matthew 28:16-20

This is supposed to be the definition of going back to normal. This is supposed to be what we are expecting. God’s plan does not include starting a cycle of short-lived joy and impermanent grace in our lives. His plan is for us to be with Him in His everlasting Kingdom. Our only call to action is to spread the Hope we have in Him. To proclaim the true restoration and normalcy only found in Him.

As we endure the troubles of the current world, let’s look through the temporary state of things and set our sight to what God has prepared for us. For what God has already given us through Jesus: the Kingdom that is forever. The joy, peace, love that endure forever.

About the author