Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NRSV)

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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Reflect

If I’m honest, there are days when I don’t feel very “new.” I drift into old habits, repeat the same mistakes, and fall into the same traps. While I would love to wake up every morning with a positive outlook, believing that I can grow into the life to which God has called me, there are mornings when I’m not even sure I can face the day. I question how I can possibly call others to be reconciled to God, when I am the one who needs the reconciling.

I trust that I’m not alone.

I also trust that God’s grace is not dependent on my mood, or on how successfully I have navigated the world on any given day. Grace is a gift, given freely by God, to all those who seek it. Those who seek it tend to be the very ones who recognize their need of it. Grace makes way for new possibilities. As we quit trying to fix ourselves, we rely on God’s love and grace.

So, when you don’t feel very “new,” be reconciled to God and receive the love that is abundantly and freely given for you. Allow that love to move you to new possibilities.

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Pray

God who loves and who is love, we open our hearts to you today seeking to be reconciled to you, not because we deserve it, but because you offer it. Forgive our mistakes, break habits, and transform our lives that we may love others as you have loved us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Go with God.