I have seen some strange things in my life. When I was seven, I witnessed a cow give birth to a calf, which caused me to seriously consider vegetarianism. A few years ago, I saw a car driving the wrong way on the Interstate. Just the other night, a friend and I were out to see a movie and saw a man dressed in a sweat suit, sneakers, baseball cap, topped off with a floor-length fur coat. I guess I missed the news about Joe Namath moving to Springfield.

My friend was quick to point out that that was “something you sure don’t see every day.” She’s right. I can’t say I’ve ever seen a grown man in a fur coat, let alone a floor-length fur coat over a sweat suit to the movie theater. (In his defense, Springfield has been unusually cold lately causing even the most weathered northerners to consider taking extreme measures to stay warm.)

Some might describe that sighting as “unusual,” “strange,” or simply “not normal.”

Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary defines normal as “conforming to a type, standard, or regular pattern.” When it comes to defining people as “normal,” what type, standard, or regular pattern are we using?

As girls, it can feel like a full-time job just trying to fit in. Most of the time, staying within the parameters of “normal” involves having the “right” clothes, shoes, and friends. And as a bonus, the “right” things can change at the bidding of a small, closed group of girls who aren’t always nice and don’t take budget into consideration when making their decrees.

Having a personal sense of style or strong opinions isn’t usually a good thing. Making a bold fashion choice or standing up for a friend can bring heaps of ridicule and weeks of ostracism.

Romans 12: 1,2 (NIV) says “¹Therefore, I urge you, brothers [and sisters], in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

As Christians, “normal” shouldn’t be defined by the popular group at school, what we see on TV, or even what our friends say. We should measure ourselves by God’s pattern.

Don’t get me wrong: being defined by a different standard than your peers isn’t easy. Hearing people make fun of you for the decisions you make is never fun. Remember that you are God’s and you measure your life by His standard. Eventually, it will get easier. Making hard decisions while you’re in middle school and high school makes decision-making a lot easier as an adult. And, the things that cause people to make fun of you in high school will cause them to respect you in college.

Plus, Jesus knew it would be difficult, so He left us with encouragement. In Matthew 5:11,12 (NIV) He said “¹¹Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

So, in 2010, allow God to redefine your “normal.” Measure yourself by His type, standard, and pattern.