Day Three: “New in God”, by Courtney Shuster
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD.
Psalm 40:3 (NLT)
When I first got my driver’s license, one of my favorite places to drive to was the bookstore. I would borrow the family car and take the twenty-minute drive to a place that brought me comfort. I don’t know if the comfort came from the freedom of the independent drive or if it came from the iced mocha latte waiting inside. I do know that my favorite section of the bookstore was the one labeled “Self-Help.” Books lined the shelves that spoke all kinds of life-changing promises. I was sure that if I found the right book I could change myself into the person I wanted to be. I never found an answer in any of the self-help books. I did pick up some tips and techniques to live better, but nothing inside them ever changed me.
A handful of years later I found a book that had the power to change me. Turns out I was in the wrong section of the store. The Book is a best-seller, but it isn’t found on the self-help shelves. The first time I took a look at the words in the Bible, God began to make me new. I smile as I remember the excitement I felt sitting in the church Sanctuary reading God’s word and falling in love. His love changed me, and I am living proof that “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Cor 5:17 NLT)
Another handful of years later and God continues to make me new. Life in Christ is not about SELF-help….it is about GOD-dependence. He gives me a clean heart and renews my spirit (Psalm 51), He clothes me in love (Col 3:14), I experience His peace, which transcends understanding (Phil 4:7), and because my roots grow deep within His love I can be strong (Eph 3:17).
I think back to that teenage girl who couldn’t find the right book in the store and I am grateful that I was led to the right book (and the right place) at God’s right time – so He could make me the new person He wants me to be.
I believe that David’s new song is a song I feel everyday…and my prayer is that you feel God’s power making you new too…and that you are singing along in a hymn of praise to Him!
Heavenly Father…thank you. Thank you for teaching me GOD-dependence and making me new through it. I pray that each day you renew the body of believers as your message extends through the Kingdom family. In Jesus name, AMEN.
