A New Creation

Scripture: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Unexpectedly, my band was asked to play two weeks early for church. I felt unprepared, as I usually practice much, much harder at least the week prior to our playing on Sunday. Between my job and evening commitments, I found it difficult to practice at all before Sunday.

That being beside the point, we played a new song for the congregation, called "New Creation" by Leeland. It is one of my favorite songs to play on the drums, but I also felt it was an appropriate song on the heels of the beginning of a new year. Part of the song's lyrics are: "For behold, the old has passed away/There's a hole inside of me/And I'll never run away from you anymore, anymore."

When each of us accepted Christ as our Savior, in that moment, we each received the Holy Spirit within us. We became a "New Creation" - our lives changed. For some of us, it didn't feel any different, for others, the change was dramatic. We each have our own unique stories. But instantly we were ushered into the Kingdom, angels sang, we chose eternal life. This was no trivial matter.

But once we became new in the eyes of the Lord, we entered into a lifelong process of being a new creation. We were saved, but then it is our responsibility to continue to learn about the Lord, His will in our lives, growing accustomed to His voice in our lives; and as a result, we grow in faith and obedience. It all works together, like gears and shifts coming together to make a machine move. One missing piece, and the machinery will stall.

Spiritually, we must always continue learning and growing, or our faith will atrophy, like an unused muscle. It's difficult to grow in faith if you don't listen to God's voice, if you don't take time to learn what is expected of you, if you refuse to give up pieces of yourself in areas you know that the Holy Spirit is pointing out where change must begin.

The "hole inside of me" that the lyrics point out is the hole where you gave yourself up to be with Christ. Everyone is born with a God-shaped hole inside of them. People try to fill it up with worldly things, influences, addictions - but nothing ever satisfies the emptiness until one allows Christ to reside within and heal them from the inside out.

It's a new year. You are continually a new creation.

Don't make crazy new year's resolutions about praying for an hour every day or reading a chapter a week - don't set yourself up for disappointment. But do make a stronger effort to spend time with Him. I have found myself making time in my car, while doing dishes, right before I go to sleep, or even sitting in front of the computer. Commune with your Lord. Don't just talk to him ... the definition of "commune" is "1) ...to converse or talk together, usually with profound intensity, intimacy; interchange thoughts or feelings. 2) to be in intimate communication or rapport." Continue to grow and prosper in your faith and relationship with the One who "created your inmost being and knit you together in your mother's womb" (Psalm 139).

I pray that this will be one of the strongest years of spiritual passion and growth that you have experienced yet.

Prayer request: That we will each embark on a renewed relationship with Christ this year.

Prayer: Lord, we come to You humbly and ask You to help each of us have a better and stronger relationship with You this year. Help us to learn the true meaning of "communion" and may we bask in Your awesome presence with awe and wonder as we draw closer to You in each of our unique ways. Amen