
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
I have felt a change in myself lately. I have been in a kind of a rut, a plodding through life without much direction or a hope, but no clear direction and validation. However, recently, I have felt a warm, comforting feeling. It feels so good at times, that I want to thank God from the top of my lungs for the whole world to feel.
So, what has changed? Am I all of a sudden rich, worry free, or without issues? No. That isn’t it. I still have the same financial issues and daily problems as I have in the past. Yet, they don’t worry me nearly as much at the moment.
The thing that has changed is that I have been spending more time focused on God. I have been praying about what I want to do and how I should do it. I have been finding ways that support my end goals and doing them, instead of just talking about them. I have been reaching out more and trying to meet new people. I have been reading the Bible more and praying more. I have been trying to be more thankful and trying to give God the credit.
I like these changes. I do feel like a “new creature.” I feel like I have a bunch of things to work on, but I feel God is with me. I don’t feel the need to worry about it too much. And, for the first time in a while, I feel like I have a direction and validation for what I want to do.
It is always surprising when I feel good while focusing on God more in my life and wonder why I haven’t been doing it all along. Why would I not? Why would I not want this good feeling I have right now? But, even more importantly, why would I want to be away from God for even a second? I like this feeling.
I am finding that the second part of this verse is also ringing true, not that I would doubt God’s word. Not only am I being transformed, but also old feelings, old ways, old thoughts, old hurts, also seem to be falling away. I feel so thankful!
So, what do you need to “pass away” for fall away? In which way do you need for feel like a new creature? How can you get closer to Christ, to focus on Him more in your life?