Battlecry 2012: ‘Normal Is Not Enough’

Published: 3/26/2012 12:47:31 PM

From: TriStateVoice

By Jacob Burgei, Chairman, Battlecry

“Normal is Not Enough.” That’s the theme for the upcoming Battlecry Conference at the IZOD Arena on April 13-14. As I was thinking on this theme, the story of Zacchaeus came to mind. Zacchaeus’ norm was that he was just a short man and also a despised tax collector. But when he heard that Jesus was at the edge of town he wanted a chance to see him! With people swarming the streets to get a look at this man named Jesus, Zacchaeus knew that he would only see the backs of the people and never get a glimpse of the Messiah. Suddenly an idea pops in his head, an idea that would cause him to step away from normal and forever change his life. Zacchaeus said, “If I can just climb into that tree I can see him.” Well not only did he see Jesus, but most importantly, Jesus saw him and said to him, “On this Day I must come to your house” (Luke 19:5). The life of Zacchaeus was transformed by the choice he made to break the norm.

What is the one thing that has become the norm to you? Maybe it’s your worship, prayer life, giving, church attendance, or relationships. You see, whatever you have as your greatest norm could turn out to be your greatest asset if it drives you “up the tree” and causes you to see Jesus. Your norm can make you desperate; it can make you willing to do what others aren’t willing to do. You will undertake extreme measures to break out of the norm to see Him, and if you’re that interested in seeing Jesus, you will see Him not only at a distance, but also up close. He will invite Himself to your house, and you will then say, “I’ll never go back to normal”—because normal is not enough! What Jesus did on the cross wasn’t normal…neither are his followers. God is looking for people that will be set apart and totally sold out for him—this has often been scoffed at, criticized, or even violently opposed, but on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 thousands of youth, young adults, leaders, and parents will join to declare that normal is not enough. Guests include John Gray, Toby Mac, Ron Luce, Marcos Witt, Worth Dying For, Salvador, and Mike Guzzardo.