You’ll probably have to start your venture into the “new normal” like this …

It’s almost surprising how many church leadership “gurus” and other assorted “gurus” are straining themselves to predict what the “new normal” will be like, and all kinds of things about it. They act like being able to say, “I predicted that!” is some sort of priceless attainment they must achieve.

But you’re smart enough to know that NO ONE knows exactly what the “new normal” will turn out to be like. Unless God supernaturally provides you with a special viewing of the future, we can only make some intelligent assumptions about life and the church in the “new normal” we’re now walking into.

There’s nothing uncommon about this!

Look at the history of your own life, history of the church, history of humanity, and the full contents of the Bible and you’ll see it is not God’s habit to always provide us with a detailed plan of “next steps” into new seasons. For that reason, you’re probably going to have to start your venture into the “new normal” the way the Apostle Paul had to handle his venture into preaching the Gospel – aim for where you think God would have you go, then listen for and rely on the Holy Spirit to direct and correct you along the way.

Check it out …

“Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us!’ So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there,” Acts 16:6-10.

Paul knew he was supposed to preach and make disciples, but He didn’t have a step-by-step plan to direct him. So he launched out the way he thought God would have him go, and was obedient to the course corrections from the Holy Spirit along the way.

For you, as we are NOW IN the “new normal,” you don’t have a step-by-step plan from God for what to do next. But you do have a few things to start with:

The Word of God, which tells us that in this “new normal” — as in EVERY season of life — our priorities as followers of Jesus are to make disciples and love everyone.

We also have prayer as a chief navigational tool, the ability to talk with God every step of this new venture.

And you’ll need an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit so you’ll be tuned to His voice as He leads you and corrects your course along the way, as He did with Paul.

And like Paul, you’ll want to make sure you have godly companions to take along with you on this journey.

With those resources available to you, you have nothing to fear about stepping boldly into the “new normal” God has for you.

Happy travels!

Scotty