It took my husband several months after we met for him to understand the excitement associated with a woman and shopping. Let’s face it ladies, whether we are shopping online or in a store, the little girl in us surfaces. For some of us, it could be the hunt for finding that unique and special gift for someone we love. For others, it may be the thrill of discovering something we have been eyeing for a while is now half off the retail price. Whatever shopping thrill makes your heart skip a beat; my husband figured out mine. It’s the excitement of getting something… NEW!
Yup! There is something exciting about bringing home a new “something”. As soon as I’m home, I want to take it out of its wrapping and admire its newness. If it is a piece of clothing, I want to try it on or place it in its new home if it is a décor piece. If it is a houseware item, I immediately wash it so I can use it. If it is a gift for someone, I admire it as I wrap it; visualizing the smile on the receiver’s face as s/he opens it. Please tell me I am not the only one who loves bringing home something new.
A similar excitement comes with the anticipation of a new year. December is a time we reflect on the past year… our successes and failures… to establish goals for more successes and less failures in the new year. A new year is a time to let go of the old as we welcome in the new: new opportunities, new relationships, new memories, new goals, new HOPE… It’s the time to write a new chapter in our storybook.
As we look forward to a new year, new chapter, new start… a new version of our new you… the only true version of new involves a spiritual shopping experience. Yes, there are MANY religions to choose from, too many to list… too many to count. However, if you are sincerely interested in a spiritually new you, you don’t have to look any further than… wait for it… Jesus. The minute you profess your belief in Jesus as your Savior, you are a new creation. A new creation with an abundance of HOPE. At the very moment you believe in Jesus, you are born again… a child of God who now has a new home prepared for you in Heaven.
The very instant you accept Jesus as your Savior; you have a new friend… a friend who never leaves you and will never forsake you. The moment you accept Jesus, God’s Spirit dwells inside of you and you become a new you both inside and out. His Spirit guides the new you as you navigate your new life. You see, as His Spirit dwells inside the new you, you have a new perspective on life… an eternal perspective filled with HOPE. The worldly things that you used to hold in high regard now have a new, insignificant position in your life. You gain a new, eternal perspective that transforms the way you see ALL things. It’s like being color blind and putting on color correcting glasses… your perspective instantly transitions from black, white, and grey to all hues of the rainbow.
This new perspective comes with new wisdom grounded in God. Yes, you now have God power flowing through your veins and a new HOPE warming your heart. Your conscience is renewed with an eternal perspective that is hyper-focused on God and Jesus. You have a supernatural force that is impossible to fully explain until you experience it for yourself. You will experience new love, new wisdom, new joy, new peace… new HOPE. It is an indescribable gift… the gift of a new life in the One who makes ALL things new.
As you celebrate the holiday season and look forward to the new year, I encourage you to include God and His Son, Jesus, into your new year goals. If the concept of something new makes your heart go pitter patter, accepting Jesus as your Savior will make your heart skip a beat… not just once but every single day of your new life. If you wish to accept Jesus as your savior, say this prayer from Billy Graham and be ready to experience a new life like no other... a new life filled with a new HOPE:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.”
Celebrate the new year with a new you… a new heart, new mind, and new soul in Jesus. You will be amazed at the new you, with your new thoughts, new feelings, new perspective, and new HOPE. You will be so excited with the new you that you just may take your new you shopping!
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