BETTY ROBISON — What is considered “normal” today?

You’re normal if you live together to see if you can live together before you even think about marriage.

You’re normal if you know how to curse really well. If you don’t, you’re really out of touch with society.

You’re normal if you dress scantily to keep up with the styles.

You’re normal if you leave God out of your relationships and everyday life.

You’re considered normal if you believe there is no absolute right and wrong.

You’re normal if you’re disrespectful to adults.

You’re normal as parents if you leave discipline up to anyone but yourself.

You’re normal if you leave God out of your life until a tragedy happens. Then you call on Him or blame Him for your situation, even though you don’t acknowledge His presence in your daily life. You tend to use God and then discard Him when you are through your troubles.

If you don’t want to be inconvenienced in any way,  if you take no responsibility and demand none except when you want someone else to be responsible for your welfare, then you’re considered normal.

And principles — what are principles? “I’m free from all of that. I do what comes naturally.” This the new normal.

Normal used to be standing and saluting our American flag in honor of our freedom we have been given through the sacrifice and shed blood of true heroes. Used to be, doing otherwise would have seemed shockingly ungrateful. But recently, in a Texas town, two students decided they didn’t want to honor our nation’s flag and what it represents. And they were applauded for taking a “bold stand.”

Such a reaction shouldn’t surprise us. Dishonoring our flag and our country is nothing when you consider that innocent little boys and girls are being slain in the womb and the act celebrated as “choice” and “feminism.” Since when is murdering innocent little boys and girls feminine, feminist or humane? I suppose ever since we slid into the age of the new normal.

This is not about politics. It’s about principles our country was founded on. These include the idea that all humans are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, including the right to life and liberty.

Yes, we as a people have often failed to live up to our high principles, but that’s no reason to turn against them. It’s a reason to recommit ourselves to those high ideals.

What do we say to those who have fought and died for our freedom and the freedom of others? Do we tell them it was all silly and pointless? Do we tell them they and their families don’t matter?

A number of U.S. citizens are content to give up their freedom and allow someone else to be responsible for them. We are seeing a significant shift in people’s thinking. I am not talking about those in desperate need. I am talking about those who assume the responsible are required to take care of the irresponsible — those who refuse to be responsible for their families or themselves, but feel the world owes them.

The truth is the new normal is the old depravity, fallen man falling away from God.

Don’t just put your finger up to see which way the wind is blowing. Don’t be afraid to be different. Just as the Israelites were challenged to take a stand, so God is challenging us. Our challenge is to discern the divine normal — and decide this day whom we will serve.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if you be unwilling to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:14-15, RSV)

Will we commit to biblical principles and do what is right, or will we check the wind to see which way it is blowing? I pray we will follow Joshua’s lead and choose to serve the Lord.