“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 NLT
Spring is a great time for a fresh start, isn’t it? I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately. The grass is turning green. The flowers are beginning to bloom. The birds are nesting. (We had a brief battle with house finches that wanted to nest right above the door we use most.) I love waking up to the sound of birds and miss them in the winter. All the new life around us is a reminder that it is not too late for a fresh start.
A Fresh Start in the Heart
Where does a fresh start begin? It starts in commitment. Recommit to give yourself completely to God because of all He has done for you. He gave His one and only Son to pay for your sin and purchase your freedom. Is there anything else He needs to do for you to prove His love and commitment to you?
What about your commitment to Him? Have you drifted from making your relationship with God a priority? A fresh start begins by giving yourself to God. That’s a commitment, a decision, anyone can make, but we have to keep making it. It must infiltrate every part of our lives which means we must change the way we think. That is how God transforms us.
Transformation happens bit by bit, thought by thought. Yes by Yes. Every time you say YES to God’s way over your own you are changed. You are transforming. Changed thoughts lead to changed behavior. But the core is saying YES to God.
A Fresh Start in the Body
What about a fresh start in your body? Do you feel as good about yourself as you would like? This is a continual struggle for me. Feeling good about my body and in my body has never been a strong point. To give your body to God is to commit your entire self to God. Your body carries your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Your body transmits your self to God. Your body is where you live out your heart’s commitment. What you do in the body is an indicator of where your heart is. Your YES is expressed through your body.
In ancient times, a sacrifice was offered as an indicator of devotion to a deity. Nothing was left of a sacrifice. It was completely consumed or surrendered to the deity. The one offering the sacrifice was required to relinquish every claim to ownership. The offering was completely given.
To offer your body as a living sacrifice is to indicate your complete devotion to our Holy God. Keep no part of yourself for yourself. Relinquish your right to yourself. You are not your own. You were bought with a price.
The only way to fully worship God is to give yourself fully to Him. This is something continue to work on.
A Fresh Start in the Mind
Behavior changes when thinking changes. If you are thinking like the rest of the world, you will behave like the rest of the world. The only way to keep from copying the behavior and customs of the world is to learn a different way to live. You’ve learned one way from living in the world. You’ve learned patterns simply by observing your parents or people around you. To become a new person who is totally devoted to God, you must unlearn those patterns and ways of thinking. To be fully devoted to Jesus, you must follow His behavior and learn His customs. The way to do this is to study Him in the Scriptures. Not just the Gospels where Jesus lived on earth. You must get to know all of God in all of His Word. There will be things that confuse you. There will be things you don’t understand. Maybe even things you disagree with. But the Bible is one story from beginning to end. You must get to know God through all of it and let His Word inform how you live.
Dear friend, it is never too late for a fresh start. Where do you need to begin? You can’t change everything at once. Do you need to make a fresh start in your heart by renewing your commitment to God or perhaps by committing fully for the first time? A fresh start in your body? A fresh start in your mind?
Wherever you begin, do it with all of your being. Fully commit to a fresh start with God. That’s the key. Do it with God. Your efforts FOR God will never fully succeed unless you do it WITH God.
Here’s to your fresh start!
Key Question: Where do I need a fresh start?
A Scripture to Consider: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 NLT
A YES Challenge: Review the past several months. Think about how you have spent most of your time. Look at your calendar if necessary. Plan how you will re-adjust your time to focus on what God is speaking to you.
Prayer: Father, where have I strayed from Your path for me? Where do I need a fresh start today? Help me to fully commit my heart, body, and mind to follow You and Your ways. Lord, I need You and Your power. Guide me through this transformation one YES at a time. I am Yours. Amen.
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