“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
“Go back!” That is what ‘The Voice’ said! ‘It’ has a tendency to show up more frequently the older I get. Which is a good thing, though sometimes… annoying. ‘It,’ ‘The Voice,’ is God. The person I refer to as My Heavenly Father… or “DAD.” The pet name is NOT disrespectful, as seen by the capital letters! Driving by a situation, I heard Him, disregarded in angst, then heard “DAD” again. I turned around!
Born 67 years ago, my life really never started counting until my early teens. It was then that I met DAD under EXTREME circumstances. Being me, I was looking for mischief, and looking back, DAD had had about enough to work with. So He called, I heard, and ‘The Voice’ has never left me alone. He is Faithful to a fault! I wish I could say the same about me… but I’ve ignored Him far too MANY times!
“Go back and pick up that piece of paper. Take the further parking space so someone else can have the closer one. Get there early. Volunteer for the messiest job! Wake up and spend time with me!” They are only some of the things DAD like to say. And though He never shouts, I KNOW it’s Him. Because of the Authority in that still small voice I hear, I NEVER have an excuse to ignore Him.
It was a privilege to see the picture of Charlie Brown and his old bent Christmas Tree. I got to see that special when it first came out on TV and remember it well. Charlie’s eyes on that tree clearly show that he KNOWS that it is not up to par. He KNOWS that his attempt is not good enough in reflecting back the Glory and Honor due the birth of Christ. But KNOWING doesn’t help DOING!
There is an odd sensation that comes when I read this verse. Like looking into a mirror, I can clearly SEE what I look like. But seeing doesn’t bring Joy. I remember what I USED to look like. Time has changed my face and will eventually drop me into a grave. But knowing that SHOULD make me JoyFUL! Unless I’m looking at life through Charlie Brown’s eyes.
Being a new creature should be more intense, joy filled, louder, more insist and yes… even more patient. But not all of those character traits show up in me all the time. Thus ‘The Voice!’ He speaks when He has something to say. Usually when I have acted in the OLD way. Because, since I AM new… I should live and ACT new! “I didn’t know,” is not a valid excuse to DAD!
This verse reminded me that I was made to live and look FORWARD! Not back! So THIS Christmas I think I’m going to try to work a little harder on giving DAD the Gift He’s always wanted. More of the NEW me! And less of the old! After all, we BOTH already know… I KNOW better!
How about YOU?
