All Things New
With the recent start of a new year one typically thinks about changes to be made and the opportunity to start fresh. What new habits should we instill and what old habits should be abandoned? As we all know, this process is much easier said than done. January is a month of economic boost at most health clubs and fitness centers. However, as the year progresses those new habits many times do not hold up, and the price of the membership no longer pays off. January is also the month of starting new diets which quickly fade as one reverts back to the old normal.
It’s hard work to change one’s course. Knowing that a typical “diet” is doomed for failure, one needs to redefine the term. Looking at it as a new and healthy way to fuel the body helps one to consider that this is a long-term life change that can lead to new and interesting foods. Balancing family, work, exercise, nutrition, relationships, ministries, and everything else all come into play. Change means creating and fostering a “new” normal. 
The same is true in our Christian life. Does my diet include daily nourishment from God’s Word? I know that I need to spend more time in study. I would like to read more books by Christian authors to support my time in the Word. Because I did not attend a Christian college, I would like to take an on-line course over some portion of the Bible. Could I, would I gain Biblical insight if I took a class to learn Hebrew or Greek? Would a trip to Israel help me to better understand location, culture, and ultimately God’s Word at a higher level?
Do I exercise prayer and meditation? Where can I find more time for prayer and memorization of scripture? How might I find natural moments and use them as opportunities for communing with God throughout the day? How might I grow and change so that my life is characterized by praise on my lips and a song in my heart?
Do I stop to consider what ministries I should take part in, as well as be honest about which ones are not the best fit? Do I remind myself that I cannot keep adding to my plate? I need to prayerfully consider which ministries were not the most suitable, for both me and the intended audience. If a particular ministry requires something that is not my spiritual strength, I need to reassess and consider where my strengths lie so that I am efficiently using my skills and gifts as I serve the Lord. Yes, of course it is great to try new things – we all should. But there is importance, when possible, of having a ministry be the right fit.
How should we reassess our walk with the Lord? How might we collect a temperature reading regarding our spiritual walk or the ministries in which we are involved? How does one know that we are spending our time on that which the Lord has called us to do?
Do I have a heart that desires change?
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. (ESV)
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Do I have a heart that wants to serve people instead of projects?
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Does my soul sing out in praise of our Lord?
Psalm 98:1 A Psalm. Oh sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
Revelation 5:9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,…
Do I look forward to a future with Jesus as King, righteously seated on his throne?
2 Peter 3:13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Revelation 21:5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
I’m so thankful that I don’t have to wait for January. I know that I can look at my life at any given moment, thank God for his tender mercies and know that if I confess and ask for his spirit to guide and strengthen, I can start new every morning. While the book of Lamentations is meant to be that of mourning over fallen Jerusalem, it holds one of my favorite verses.
Lamentations 3:20-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Dear Jesus, Thank you that you alone are trustworthy and true. Thank you that you forgive, that your mercies are new every morning. Thank you that you have promised the presence of your Holy Spirit to those who call upon your name. You tell us to ask that it may be given, seek that we will find, and to knock and you will open your spirit to us. Help me, help us to take new steps that will lead us to the path that is your will. Amen
Dear friends, May you enjoy God’s blessing in each new day ahead.
Linda
