The Baby & The Bathwater – Build a Strong Life - Friday
Today’s Verse
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (NIV)
“Honey, we are gonna be more kind in the things we say about people this year…” my wife said, shooting me a look from across the kitchen. Slowly I nodded, knowing exactly what she meant.
There are plenty of misconceptions about people who work in ministry.
One of the more common ones is that we know everything about the Bible (which I can personally assure you, we don’t).
Another is that because we know the Bible so well, we always follow it perfectly. Our lives are perfect. We have the perfect words to say in every situation and walk around all day just hugging and praying for people all the time. And while hugging and praying are two very important parts of ministry, it’s not always an accurate picture of who we really are: people.
People with bad habits. People who miss the mark. People who don’t always act like Jesus. And, if you’re anything like me—people who don’t always talk like Him, either.
I can usually hold my tongue throughout the day—even with people who frustrate me. But by the time I get home, Hannah Hall usually gets a whole lotta me: uncensored, unfiltered, unapologetic me. Obviously, there’s a certain intimacy she loves about seeing a side of me no one else does. But when she hit me with this New Year’s resolution a few weeks ago, I immediately knew this one was more for me than it was for we.
For most of us, January is a fresh start. It’s a celebration of new beginnings, new aspirations, new goals, and ultimately a “new you” in the making. But Paul reminds us that for anyone who is already in Christ Jesus, the new is already here—which means that the old is already gone. It can be easy to look at New Year’s resolutions and think of the work we want to do on us, but what we really need is for Him to work in us, because He’s the only one who can change our hearts.
Even though I’ve been following Jesus a long time, the old me still shows up a lot more than it should—especially when it comes to what I say. But because of Jesus, I don’t have to be the same old Connor. I’ve been made new, regardless of what month it might be. And so have you.
My prayer today is that you have a very Happy New Year. And because of Jesus—a happy new you as well.
REFLECTION
What is one part of the old you that you need Jesus to make new?
