Ephesians 4:22-24 To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
One of my earliest recollections of going to the theatre was a visit a pantomime staged at the Palace theatre, Plymouth. I think it was the Cinderella and then of course there was another time when it was Aladdin, including the cry, new lamps for old.
This renewing; this putting off the Old and taking on the New has been the sought by many over the years.
Socrates, for example urged humanity to discover, “the secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”
How often do we change our mind? Or more to the point how often do we need to renew our minds?
One writer, Stuart Strachan puts this New for Old like this, “If you really want to change, it starts with your story. If you want to change the story of your life, you need to change the stories in your mind. So what story do you want to live? Do you want to experience God’s presence deeply in your own life? Do you want to be the hero in your own story? Or at least, do you want to be proud, not prideful, but proud of who God has made you to be? If so, keep reminding yourself that you are God’s beloved child, and His love for you is so immense he was willing to sacrifice his one and only son on your behalf.”
I turn again to David Adams a prayerful consideration for this renewing process.
Lord,
When our steps are weary
And the going is rough
When our life is dreary
And our journey is tough
Open the gate of glory.
Lord,
When the dark clouds thicken
And the storm rides high
When the troubles quicken
And danger is nigh
Open the gate of glory.
Lord,
When our work is completed
And the battle is done
We are not defeated
The victory you have won
Open the gate of glory
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