Looking Ahead: I Am Made New

I love to watch artists as they work. Some turn a blank canvas into a beautiful landscape. Others create jewelry out of raw metal and stones. When I was young, I would marvel at my grandmother creating complex garments from a few yards of fabric. Artists have the ability to transform something seemingly ordinary into something absolutely wonderful.

To be a follower of Christ is to be fully transformed. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul’s letter reminds us we are not only forgiven of our sins, but we are also changed into a new creation. The old is gone, and we can look forward.

The world will bombard us with messages about who we are and where our worth comes from. There is a temporary nature to the identities we create for ourselves on earth. Through our acceptance of Jesus and the grace of God, we can have a lasting and true identity in Christ.

We must stay alert to the many myths the world would have us believe and remain anchored to our identity in Christ.

Father in heaven, I am who you say I am. I am made new.