Revelation 21:5

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See,I am making all things new." Revelation 21:5 (NRSV)

Making us new is what Jesus is all about. This is the theme of the Christian story-redemption. Rising from ashes. Over and over again. From His perspective, it doesn't matter what happened in the past year, what mistakes we made or problems we faced. Those things don't define us in His eyes. What matters is the new thing He's doing today.

I'm sure you've seen the caricatures of the old and new year. The year that is ending is always pictured as an old man, stooped, haggard, and tired. On his way out. And the new year comes in like a perfect, shiny baby, with light in his eyes. What matters is the new thing He's doing today. 

I'm sure you've seen the caricatures of the old and new year. The year that is ending is always pictured as an old man, stooped, haggard, and tired. On his way out. And the new year comes in like a perfect, shiny baby, with light in his eyes. It's a marvelous metaphor for how Jesus makes us new. He takes the tired, the worn out, the hopeless and defeated, and He breathes new life into us. New strength, new energy, new hope. New life.

Jesus came to give us life to the fullest. That starts the moment we accept Him and begin to share His perspective. He's not looking for perfection. He's looking for someone to grow in Him, becoming more like Him, moment by moment, year by passing year.

-Gwen Ford Faulkenberry

Faith Step:  Write down and commit to Jesus three areas in which you'd like to grow. Ask Him to make them new.