2 Corinthians 5:¹⁷ So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

When I first became a committed Christian in my early 20s this promise really appealed to me. I’d had some disappointments and struggles in my life to that point and I was afraid my past would define me. And left to myself that may very well have been how things turned out. But because of Jesus, and being made new in relationship to Jesus, my life took a radical turn for the better.

Your past doesn’t have to define your future.

Does this mean that as Christians we no longer have struggles or trials? No. Does my life completely transform in a day? No. Well, not usually. But in Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit which we receive in our baptism, the seed of transformation is planted and – over time – we become a “new creation”. It’s true. If you want to give it a try, reach out to me (pastorernie@gmail.com).

Lord thank you that in Jesus we are made new. Amen.