Colossians 3:8-10
But now you must stop doing such
things. You must quit being angry, hateful, and evil. You must no longer
say insulting or cruel things about others. And stop lying to each
other. You have given up your old way of life with its habits.
Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
There was a time not so long ago when I could hardly bear to look at pictures of myself as a younger woman. I saw
the “girl” in photos with long blond hair, a slender figure and tanned
skin, and I wondered, “What in the world happened?!” Despite Greg’s best
efforts to assure me that this 58-year-old version of “me” is totally
fine, these pictures made me a little sad.
But I have come to
terms with embracing the young woman in those pictures…and also the
“older model” in more recent ones. Because you see, I hope that the
woman I am today is more and more in step with who Jesus wants me to
be. And that is the goal – or at least, it should be!
The more I
know about Jesus – and the more I KNOW Him…the more I want to let go of
things like judgment, anger, jealousy, gossip, bad attitudes,
frustration, impatience, cynicism, skepticism, discrimination, and
more…and emulate Him as closely as possible. I want to focus on finding
joy in Him…trusting in His promises…and in the delight of sharing His
message with others. I understand that I will miss the mark
often…probably daily! But I keep trying!
There are still traces
of the young woman in this older model…but I hope they are the better
qualities! I am grateful that God has blessed me with good health and
energy, so that I can be the wife, daughter, aunt, sister and friend
that He has called me to be. I am thankful for opportunities to serve
Him – at home, in my church and community…and in the world at large. I
pray that He will continue to work in me so that I am constantly
evolving and changing…for the better.
What about you? Are you
stuck in a rut…still mired in the same ways and habits of your old,
sinful life? Or have you fully committed to becoming a new creature in
Christ? Have you embraced who Jesus is calling you to be…and are you
working becoming that person? Are you making every effort to know Jesus
better and to operate under the guidance of His Holy Spirit? Do you
like who you are today…and more importantly, does Jesus like this
“model” of you? Will this be the day that you let go of old ways and
habits and go “all in” for Him? Don’t you think it should be?
©2015 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label giving up old habits. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giving up old habits. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for June 8, 2014
Isaiah 57:18-19
I know what you are like!
But I will heal you, lead you,
and give you comfort,
until those who are mourning
start singing my praises.
No matter where you are,
I, the Lord, will heal you
and give you peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last year, I bought some new “lounge wear” to dress in at home. I figured the old flannel pajama pants and t-shirts with holes could use a facelift! But I have to tell you, those comfortable old pieces seem to find a way back onto my body from time to time! They are welcoming and cozy…restful and relaxing…and since I tucked them into the back of the drawer and didn’t throw them out, they have crept back into my clothing “repertoire” over time.
We all know someone who has vowed to “turn over a new leaf”. Maybe that “someone” was you! We vow to start a new diet – and stick to it…to stop a bad habit…to exercise regularly or spend less. And for a while, we do okay. But over time, many of us slide right back into our “comfy old pajamas and t-shirts” and go back to our old ways.
I know this will come as a shock to some of you, but I am not perfect! The rest of you can stop rolling your eyes and laughing uncontrollably. You know me and love me in spite of my flaws… and for your grace and mercy, I am grateful. Here’s the thing - and I know you will be astounded to hear this – but you aren’t perfect, either! Yet you’ve managed to make it through more than few years…hopefully with friends and family members who love you - and with relative success in your endeavors!
The truth of the matter is that we are all flawed. Each of our lives is something of a mess in one way or another. Try as we might to do better - to be better - we never seem to get it quite right. It’s enough to make some of us throw up our hands and declare ourselves “hopeless cases”! But somehow, some way, we survive. This is no small thing…and in many cases, it’s nothing short of miraculous.
Hear the GOOD NEWS…God knows what a mess you are. He is fully aware of every mistake, idiosyncrasy, bad habit, flawed thought and action, and struggle you may have…and He still loves you and wants you for His Kingdom. He wants you to grow so familiar and comfortable with your new life in Christ that you no longer need the coziness of your old “pajama pants and t-shirt” habits and sins. He offers us grace, mercy and compassion for the struggles we encounter. But He also redeems us and provides us with healing and peace.
I am thankful that God loves me so much…and I know He loves you equally. I am working to “clean out the closets and drawers” of my life and get rid of some old habits and flaws once and for all, so that they are no longer readily available to me. But I am also reveling in the joy and peace of knowing that God is with me…that He loves me and offers me rest for every step of the journey. I will never be perfect…but I can be better. I can enjoy the comfort of God’s healing, love and care as His “work in progress”. And so can you!
Will this be the day that you start “cleaning out a few closets” and operating in the restful healing of God’s grace and mercy? Aren’t you ready to trade some of your “holey messes” for the “new clothes” of His perfect peace?
©2014 Debbie Robus
I know what you are like!
But I will heal you, lead you,
and give you comfort,
until those who are mourning
start singing my praises.
No matter where you are,
I, the Lord, will heal you
and give you peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Last year, I bought some new “lounge wear” to dress in at home. I figured the old flannel pajama pants and t-shirts with holes could use a facelift! But I have to tell you, those comfortable old pieces seem to find a way back onto my body from time to time! They are welcoming and cozy…restful and relaxing…and since I tucked them into the back of the drawer and didn’t throw them out, they have crept back into my clothing “repertoire” over time.
We all know someone who has vowed to “turn over a new leaf”. Maybe that “someone” was you! We vow to start a new diet – and stick to it…to stop a bad habit…to exercise regularly or spend less. And for a while, we do okay. But over time, many of us slide right back into our “comfy old pajamas and t-shirts” and go back to our old ways.
I know this will come as a shock to some of you, but I am not perfect! The rest of you can stop rolling your eyes and laughing uncontrollably. You know me and love me in spite of my flaws… and for your grace and mercy, I am grateful. Here’s the thing - and I know you will be astounded to hear this – but you aren’t perfect, either! Yet you’ve managed to make it through more than few years…hopefully with friends and family members who love you - and with relative success in your endeavors!
The truth of the matter is that we are all flawed. Each of our lives is something of a mess in one way or another. Try as we might to do better - to be better - we never seem to get it quite right. It’s enough to make some of us throw up our hands and declare ourselves “hopeless cases”! But somehow, some way, we survive. This is no small thing…and in many cases, it’s nothing short of miraculous.
Hear the GOOD NEWS…God knows what a mess you are. He is fully aware of every mistake, idiosyncrasy, bad habit, flawed thought and action, and struggle you may have…and He still loves you and wants you for His Kingdom. He wants you to grow so familiar and comfortable with your new life in Christ that you no longer need the coziness of your old “pajama pants and t-shirt” habits and sins. He offers us grace, mercy and compassion for the struggles we encounter. But He also redeems us and provides us with healing and peace.
I am thankful that God loves me so much…and I know He loves you equally. I am working to “clean out the closets and drawers” of my life and get rid of some old habits and flaws once and for all, so that they are no longer readily available to me. But I am also reveling in the joy and peace of knowing that God is with me…that He loves me and offers me rest for every step of the journey. I will never be perfect…but I can be better. I can enjoy the comfort of God’s healing, love and care as His “work in progress”. And so can you!
Will this be the day that you start “cleaning out a few closets” and operating in the restful healing of God’s grace and mercy? Aren’t you ready to trade some of your “holey messes” for the “new clothes” of His perfect peace?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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