I have been wanting to talk about this for a few days now.

Lately, I have been learning about what being a new creature in Christ is truly all about.

Let us look at this mini devotional to begin our conversation and brainstorm our minds:

“As we close 2020, reflect on the many times you had courageous and strong faith—believing in the unseen. You rose against adversity, and saw beyond distressing news. You envisioned the brightness of better days. As you stand on the edge of a new year, know that you have developed your vision to see possibilities rather than problems.”

Lord, You bless me with great faith. You take away my doubts and nudge me to believe the best is yet to come.

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Notice how in 2 Corinthians 5:17 it states, “ALL THINGS have become NEW”. When we are reading God’s Word I love to pay attention to the little details like that. Sometimes it may seem little but it can speak volumes. What has been brought to my mind all throughout the recent holiday season we had is that God truly means what He says. When He says all things, He means all things. One of the things out of many I would like to concentrate on though is new eyes. Seeing with new eyes can show us a little bit of how God wants us to view the world and people within the world. Getting ourselves to do this on the other hand can seem like a battle in itself, but we have to remember similarly what I mentioned in my previous blog post, “we are training for God’s will and the coming kingdom.” If we loose sight of what it means to be new in Christ, we will lose the goal that Jesus has set out for us.

This life with God is a dance

You take one step forward, then He is there to lead the next.

This dance can be beautiful. At peace, calm, and sound, if you allow it.

You must seek His step and take control of your relationship in Him.

Trusting that each foot forward will be in perfect alignment with God’s good will.

Thus, allowing yourself to see with the new eyes God can give you, will take you in a new place with Him.

Some tips with this lesson:

• Always set aside time to dwell with God, alone. This will allow yourself to re-adjust from “reality”. Talk with God about how He wants you to see a bit differently. Ask Him to show you perhaps even how He sees a particular situation.
• Next rethink the relationships that surround you. Your family, your friends, coworkers and even strangers. How do these people make you feel? (Good, bad, anxious?) What ever it may be, look at them with fresh eyes. Where do you see God’s hand? If you don’t see it or cannot see anything positive in the moment, how might you be able to change this? How might God see the person that is frustrating you in the moment? How would Jesus handle it?
• Lastly, the negativity within our government(s), society(s), & home(s). “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8, ESV). Learn from what you go through! Instead of saying, “why me”, ask: “God what are you teaching me here?”. Instead of seeing the trial, see the refining process. See and be aware that God’s plan is always in effect.

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
(Hebrews 4:16, ESV)