Have you ever found yourself wishing you could simply start over? You know, a new location where your past doesn’t’ exist. You have no reputation, because nobody knows you. The place where you can become the person who’ve always wanted to be, since you can’t become the “new you” where you live right now. There are those who are constantly moving from job to job, and perhaps state to state in hopes of a fresh start, only to find themselves back where they started. Sure, they live in a new location, have a new job and have a new set of friends; but in the end, no change. They still haven’t achieved what they set out to do. Obviously, until something changes on the inside, nothing on the outside is really going to matter all that much in the scheme of things. A person may try convince others that he is a certain way, but if he doesn’t even believe it himself, it’s merely a charade. Moreover, others know it!
Even if you could completely reinvent yourself, would you be the best version of yourself possible? As great as that version might be, who would get the glory for achieving it? How many love to brag about being the self-made man or woman? As disciples of Jesus Christ, aren’t we supposed to glorify God? Would your version of you be on par with His design? You might like the “new you,” but not as much as Version One, designed by God. Romans 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the Firstborn among many brethren. Who does the conforming, Him or us? Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. If we could do it ourselves, why would we need Jesus? Has it occurred to you that God already gave you a new beginning (see 2 Corinthians 5:17)? He already sees Version One, so ask Him to show you what He sees. The idea is to believe what He believes. Any opinion or belief that differs from His is wrong!
Perhaps, the reason He doesn’t move you to a new location with all its “advantages” is He wants to give people hope. What happens if you morph right in front of everyone who knows you, reputation and all? Do you suppose that if they see you change for the positive, they might find hope for themselves, especially if someone is down and out? More than likely, our Potter likes to use our current conditions as part of the molding process. To be sure, He may very well move people to a different location; nonetheless, those moves are often connected to an assignment. Having said that, it would behoove each of us to stay open to any such changes. The bottom line is leave the location to Him, and give hope to those who surround you now.
Your change could be accelerated. How so? By believing what God says. If you believe you can be changed, or if you believe you cannot be changed, you’re correct. Do not confuse that statement with the positive mental attitude jargon which is the counterfeit of the renewal of the mind. The more we believe what He says, the more our thinking and behavior will conform to His vision of us. If you do not believe old things are past as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:17, you may very well find yourself working to become new. That my friend is dead works. On the other hand, when you realize that you are His masterpiece, created for good works, the real you will emerge along with all the good stuff. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
As you are changed from glory to glory, you will also find your living conditions changing as well. You will actually begin to shift the environment in which you live, because He is changing the environment within you. Being made new in Jesus Christ is far superior to reinventing yourself!
