Die and Rise

When I came to Louisiana, I was hungry for whatever God had for me, as I had been through the preceding year. But in my mind the big move opened an opportunity to go through some kind of death to my previous life and resurrection to what God might do in my future.

My first weeks here were on one hand filled with the busyness of moving into a new place. On the other hand, during those weeks I felt something deep within me die—aspects of my identity, attitudes, and priorities. I was glad for the change. And this may sound cheesy and melodramatic, but on Easter Sunday I clearly sensed a kind of resurrection in my inner self, of a new work of God in me.

An outside observer would probably not have noticed. But I was hungry for change, even if unnoticed, even if incremental. I have an ever-growing list of ways I want to be more Christ-like.

One thing to remember if you get resurrected from something or experience spiritual change: You must practice the changed, resurrected life. Daily. People may have a spiritual experience with newness and change. Sometimes it sticks, but other times they revert back as if nothing had occurred. That happens because they do not daily practice and continually reaffirm the new attitudes, disciplines, and disciplines. I know this because too many times that was me.

I encourage anyone going through any life change, or pursuing a change in life, to seize the opportunity for an accompanying spiritual change. There’s no better chance. Then be a good steward of God’s work in you. Every day.

Those changes in you may or may not be noticeable right away. You yourself may even doubt them. But over time, changes form a new life trajectory and become increasingly evident. God is with you in this, as he promises in Philippians 1:6, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

God always offers grace for resurrection newness. May our response always be, “Yes, Lord.”

—
photo credit: rgbstock.com