“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)

For as long as I can remember, I was unhappy with myself. I felt like a square peg in a round hole. I didn’t make friends easily, and I felt like a victim all the time. Like most alcoholics, I was self-centered, restless, irritable and discontented. I needed so much attention that I exhausted people. I wanted to feel better about myself, so I did what many people do: I changed my exterior. I had a complete beauty make-over. But I wasn’t happier, and I certainly didn’t make any new friends. You see, the problem wasn’t external, the problem was internal. It was me, my soul, that needed the make-over.

It wasn’t until I accepted Christ into my heart and bowed down before him, that my life changed and without too much effort on my part. God’s grace did the heavy lifting, as is promised in 2 Corinthians, 5:17.

Once I seriously gave my life over to God, my old ways of thinking changed. I stopped feeling like a victim in life and felt victorious! Decades long resentments that kept me at arms length from people melted away. Old fears and phobias I had disappeared. I stopped focusing on myself and focused on God and on my fellows. I felt brave and bold, kind and loving, and capable in a way I had never felt before.

I am most definitely, a new person. I have a new life too, filled to the brim with friends and family who seek me out to be with me. My life feels vital and full. I am blessed with God’s grace, and his love, every day.

I don’t take my make-over in Christ lightly. I give thanks for it every day. I know I have to continue to work at surrendering to God’s will for me. I must work at being humble and of service to others. But as long as I do those things, and keep Christ in my heart, I am a new person. I don’t need a beauty make-over. Christ touched my soul and made me gorgeous!

F.R.O.G. Practice: Today, Accept Christ as your lord and saviour. Give your life over to him. Watch the old pass away, and the new arrive. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?