Where's the New?

A devotional in the January-February 2019 issue of The Upper Room begins with a delightful story (page 8) about a little boy who expressed great excitement about the coming of a New Year. But when the New Year arrived, he ran around looking everywhere for the New Year--or at least something new. But, of course, he found everything the same as before. "Where's the new?" he demanded.

The writer of that story (Sriparna Mahanty from Odisha, India) goes on to say that she often wonders whether or not there's anything new in her life now that's she's a Christian. You and I wonder the same thing, don't we? After all, as she points out, the Bible does say, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB).

Although we may look pretty much the same, there will be more love that shows on our face and in our voice and in our

actions. We will be more forgiving and more patient with others. There are other pieces of evidence, such as those listed in Galatians 5:22-23, that prove we are changing from the inside out. We'll give up many of our old habits and develop new (better) ones. We'll see changes in our attitude-- sometimes subtle ones, sometimes major ones. 

The "new" is there and will become increasingly evident the more we talk with God, the more we read and study His Word, and the more we do what it says. 

Just as a seed that's planted grows imperceptively over time as it comes to full fruition, so also newness of spiritual life is a process that begins the moment we receive Christ. We are growing. We are becoming all that Christ will enable us to be. In the meantime, let's not be disappointed if we don't see major newness all at once. Rather, let's look for all the little signs of new growth we see in ourselves and desire more.

More, So Much More

When our grandson Bailey (age 17) visited recently, I showed him some digital photos I’d taken of other high school seniors so that he would have a better idea of what kind of senior photos he’d like me to take of him.

After we’d discussed potential places and poses for his pictures, I showed him a sampling of the pictures I’d taken of him through the years. As I clicked quickly from one to another, Bailey seemed to grow up before our eyes.

I said, “Bailey, I can’t believe how you’ve grown!” He nodded and grinned shyly—and a bit proudly—as we enjoyed those few minutes of witnessing his transformation from toddler to teen. "You can easily do things now that you could only dream about doing when you were much younger."  

Bailey has become more, so much more, than he or we ever imagined. And, God willing, there is more, so much more, ahead for him as he transitions from high school to college, to career, to....

Thinking about that reminded me that Christ is more, so much more, than a tiny baby whose birth we celebrate at Christmastime. His full potential was within Him even then; but, as He grew, those around Him observed more and more of the awesome person He was becoming. Those of us who never saw Him with human eyes have “beheld His glory” by reading His story that’s in the Bible. 

Yet, even the most articulate people who wrote the words in the Bible could not adequately tell of the greatness of Christ. But what they do say compels us to worship Him and to praise Him. The more we learn about Christ and the more we experience His presence with us, the more we realize that He is more, so much more, than we realized when we first heard of Him. Thus, Christ becomes sweeter and sweeter to us as the days go by.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created...all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together...." (Colossians 1:15-17, NASB).

Lessons from a Vine

Because I’m intrigued by a vine that grows prolifically at the beach, I wanted to know more about it. I learned that it’s called the “Railroad Vine” because its vines spread out hither and yon along the ground, much like train tracks meander around anything in their paths. Amazingly, the vine can grow up to 12 inches a day, and its runners may extend horizontally for more than 30 feet. Its taproots can penetrate downward more than three feet into the sand, stabilizing the ever-shifting dunes. In addition, the “Railroad Vine” often produces beautiful pink blooms that open in the morning and close by mid-afternoon, giving it another nickname: “Beach Morning Glory.”

As I look at the vine, I think about how the “paths” of my life often seem random. Yet, even if I go first one way and then another, my life, like the vine, still has purpose and beauty. Yesterday, for example, I didn't think I was doing much that was meaningful. However, when I journaled this morning about what I’d done, I realized I’d done several kind things for others, which, I believe, delighted my Father--even though I hadn't checked off many items on my to-do list.

He has shown you...what is good. 

And what does the LORD require of you? 

To act justly 

and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God.

~Micah 6:8, NIV

Embrace the Challenges; Receive the Blessings

The day before I was to give my first speech at the January 22^nd meeting of the local chapter of Toastmasters, I was a bundle of nerves. In fact, I was telling myself and others I’d never sign up to give another one.

I’m not sure why I was so nervous. I’d written my speech months ago. I knew my subject well. (Since this first speech was an “ice breaker,” I was supposed to talk about myself.) I had prepared a visual aid. I knew and liked everyone in the group, and I felt confident they’d be “cheering” for me.

The morning I was to give the speech, I woke up early and followed my normal routine. I spent the first hour or so reading the Bible and several devotional books. As always, I came across words that seemed written especially for me. In Sarah Young’s wonderful book, Jesus Calling, I read: “Anything that tends to make you anxious is a growth opportunity. Instead of running away from these challenges, embrace them, eager to gain the blessings I [Jesus] have hidden in the difficulties” (reading for January 22).

Embrace my fears???? Run toward—rather than away from—this challenge (as well as others)? Could I really do that?

As I struggled with that idea, I recalled these words spoken by Moses as the Israelites were preparing to enter the land God had promised them many years before: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them [the current residents in that land], for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV.

As I reflected on that promise, I realized God would be with me, as He was with them, though my challenges with that 4-6 minute speech were minuscule in comparison to theirs. He would enable me to succeed. Consequently, my faith in Him would increase all the more, as would my gratitude for His help! Furthermore, only He knew what other blessings were hidden in the challenge.

Note: Much to my surprise (and great relief), I was calm when I gave my speech. That had to be a "God thing," because I had been "falling apart" the day before and the morning of the speech!