A New You

Every year we make New Years Resolutions or Goals in hopes that this year will be the best ever or that we can improve ourselves in some shape or form. Those lofty goals that we make tend to fizzle out after a month or two and we wonder why we always seem to be doing the same thing over and over. We never see any real change.
This year as I was searching for Goals or New Years resolutions, I sought something more than superficial fluff.

• I was desiring something that was timeless, alive, and active
• I wanted something I could grip and hold onto
• Something that would help inspire me to go further than I had gone before without the simple platitudes or instant gratification of today’s world
• I wanted something that would impact all aspects of my life and my family’s life
• Something that was fresh yet familiar at the same time
• It should shape me into a New Me by transforming from the inside out
• It should penetrate the heart, soul, body, and spirit
• Cultivate different thoughts and attitudes not just superficial habits
• I wanted it to transform all of me not just the mask of me

​
If that was my desire, then I had to change what I focused on. And I began to think...What if my goals weren’t based upon what is on the outside but what is different on the inside?
What if my goals didn't just affect the superficial mask of me, but the whole of me?

The only think I knew that could change me in such a way...was the thing I always knew to be true, God. 

Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, [a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

Acts 2:42
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

We are created in the image and likeness of God.  If we really want to discover a New You then we have to reorient ourselves back to God.  Our thoughts, words, and actions would have to reflect our creator.  They would have to mirror the life and teachings of Christ.  We would have to be in responsive obedience to God.  In other words, be in communion WITH God and allow his word and spirit to guide us.  Though we messed up and fractured our relationship WITH God, which allowed sin to enter the world and us to experience brokenness, God in his grace and mercy, sent his son, Jesus Christ, so that our relationship WITH God might rightfully be restored.  

What I discovered is that A New You is only possible through conversations and connections WITH God, which leads to a conversion of the heart.  Are you ready to take a journey to discover A New You?

By Alex Hardt