A New Year and a New Creation

Don't you love newness and freshness - a new shirt, a freshly cleaned house, a new recipe, and new idea - ultimately and most importantly, new life in Christ? I do! But, I must say, along with loving the new things, I love the old things too. I love old photographs and tradition and vintage decor. Nothing wrong with that. But...what about those old things we love that are not so sweet and fun? I know I tend to stray towards old habits, old comforts and old treasures when my heart is not fully believing and embracing God's sweet and precious gift of new life.

A new year is fast approaching, and I couldn't be more excited! Reflecting on the year past and anticipating the year ahead, I have been reminded of II Corinthians 5:17:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

As we look ahead toward 2012, it is my prayer and resolve that, with God's help and grace, we will forget our old life (because it has passed away) and that we would live boldy and faithfully in new life in Christ.

"..let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 ESV

This will be my prayer for you. Pray for me too?