He Makes All Things New

"He Makes All Things New"
By Zach Wood
2 Corinthians 5:17

This passage has been on my mind lately a lot.  As we begin this new year, I take a look at the things I have done in the past year and also I think about all that God has done in my life to change me, challenge me and strengthen me. 

I have had many hard times of understanding, but also many times of being totally awed at the wonderful things God has done for me and placed before me.  More than anything, I've been so amazed at the wonderful and awesome things He has brought into my life that I never thought He would do. 

As this new year begins, I am asking God not only to strengthen me, but to continue to mold me into His image.  I am a new creation since I am in Jesus Christ.  The old has gone, the new has come.  The old things that used to be part of my life when I did not follow Christ I do not want to follow me or haunt me.  Those things do tend to come back and haunt sometimes, but with Christ by my side, I have strength to overcome them. 

Many of you make new years resolutions.  Whatever those resolutions are or if you're not even someone who makes any, I encourage you to consider the things God has brought you from in your past to who you are now.  Take some time to think about the old life you used to have when you didn't know God and now how He has changed your life and made you new.  Not only think on these things, but take time to give God praise for all that He has brought you through. 

Perhaps you are dealing with some serious struggles right now and you need strength just to make it through each day.  Maybe your past has come back to haunt you and it's really tugging on you and pulling you down......again.....and again.  If that's happening, you're not alone.  Many around you are probably dealing with that as well.  We are all imperfect and deal with tempting and haunting issues with our past. I encourage you to surround yourselves with others who will encourage you and help you in your walk with Christ.  But, most importantly, rely on Jesus Christ and His Word to get you through. 

God makes all things new in our lives.  That doesn't mean we are not going to have struggles, but it does mean we have a Savior who is right there to help us through and carry us.  We cannot live this life on our own.  If we try, we will fail.

Let the words of this passage echo through your mind and heart as you begin this new year.  If you are in Christ, you are a NEW CREATION.  You are made new in Christ.  Your past is in the past.  When it comes back to haunt you, rely on God's mighty power to help you through and get it back in your past.  He will strengthen you and make all things new.