So Long, Bye Bye

Scripture

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come.The old has gone, the new is here! - 2 Corinthians 5: 17

Beloved, can we comprehend the gravity of this verse? The moment we are in Christ, the old us is over. This means our old habits, old mindset, old trauma, and old story are done away with. God speaks to the person He's already chosen. He sees us as new, even if we don't feel like we are. Are we still emotionally attached to the old version of ourselves? To become who God has already ordained us to be, we can no longer hold on to the person we were. At some point in our walk with Christ, we are to outgrow our struggles and stop defending old patterns that hamper our forward movement. God admonished Joshua to be strong and courageous as he led the children of Israel into the promise. He is saying the same of us. He's reminding us that we've stayed in the place of lack, insecurity, and pain long enough. Let's look to the hills which come our help, knowing that our help comes from the Lord. (Psalm 121:1-2). With His help, we must evolve into who He's called us to be.

It's normal to feel pain in the transformation. Your trials were and will continue to be times of refinement and preparation for greater. God allowed them to make you better and to mature you spiritually. Growth will cost us everything, Beloved. As we walk with Him and submit to the Holy Spirit, He will do a deep work, causing us to let go of who we were for the person we're designed to be. We can't do great things for God and remain the same. Let's be reminded of Abram, who became Abraham. His name had to  change, and the direction of his life had to change. More than that, His mind had to change. David was transformed as well. He was anointed to be king, but he didn't become king until over a decade later. If you read the account of his life, you will see that the trials he endured on his way to kingship drew him closer to God, and God refined him.

Beloved, God is calling us to surrender what was and to embrace what is. Let's surrender our attitudes, habits, thought patterns, and our fruitless ways. This will involve facing our fears and embracing the uncomfortable. We can't pray for God's best for our lives, but hold on to old perspectives. You are no longer who you were, and it's time that you start living in the truth. Allow the Word of God to cast a mirror upon your life. Then if your reflection doesn't match the Word, be courageous enough to allow God to develop you. 

Prayer

Father, help us to let go of who we used to be and walk in the truth of who you say we are. Please sever ties to the old man so that we can fulfill our  purpose for our lives. In Jesus' name. Amen