The New Year

Here we are in the new year. It's now 2011, and I just got used to writing 2010 on my checks. Oh well. It's funny how the days and weeks can go by relatively slowly, but the years seem to fly by. I'm still thinking of Y2K as though it were yesterday and that was already 11 years ago! Anyhow, it is a new year once again, and I was thinking of a scripture that seems very appropriate for this time.

Ephesians 4:22-24: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I recently read that the typical New Year resolution lasts about two weeks, so don't make this a New Year resolution. Instead, decide that it's time for some more of that old "self" to be gotten rid of. Like spring cleaning, once it's thrown away, it's gone...for good.

What "old thing" has been hanging around and getting in our way, preventing us from moving forward? What part of our old selves can we "put off" or put out in the trash to get rid of? Just like going through the garage or basement or closet, something that looked good a while back looks outdated or useless now, and it's time to get rid of it. Some of those old ways - that old self - are also pretty dated, so let's dump them. God will send a helper - the Holy Spirit - to help us carry them out to the trash. Then we'll have more room for the new us, the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

I pray that God will bless you and prosper you in this new year of 2011 and that all of us will be seeing more of the new self in each other as the year progresses.

Blessings,
Pastor John