Be New Inside As Well

5 Jul
“A new car is not going to change your life.”  ~ Monica Ali

For the past several months, I have been engaging in mental exercises, readying myself for a “big” purchase.  I had been driving my car since I purchased it in 2008.  Don’t get me wrong, it was still a good car.  It rode well.  Yes, it did guzzle gas; but, other than that, it had caused me little problems after a few initial major (and, thankfully covered) issues.

It had come to the point, though, that I felt I needed to get something new so that I would be able to depend upon “my ride”.  After eleven years, there are more chances for something to go wrong with the old car.  So, I purchased a new vehicle on July 3rd.

While I felt like that teenager again with his new car, I was also thinking about something else as I drove it home:  it really does not make anything better.  I still have a means of transportation.  Now, if nothing else, I have added a new obligation: car payments.

There are so many times that we think that “new is better”.  The new thing, while it may be a convenience for us, does not really change things in the long run.  Soon, my car will get its first dent.  Soon, it will require service of some kind.  Soon, it will lose its new car smell.  It will no longer smell (or look) fresh.

Where we need to be new and fresh is within ourselves.  The externals are not what counts.  What is deep within matters.  If you have a new car, new home, or new whatever, go ahead and enjoy it.  There is nothing wrong with that.  However, make sure that you do not become “old and musty” within.

The world needs to see good examples of Christ’s love.  We cannot be good examples if we allow ourselves to run down.  Renew yourself today.  Take a good chunk of time to reflect on all that is truly important.  Seek the Lord, find the Lord, and everything else that matters will fall in line.

FAITH ACTION:  Ask God to make you new within so that you may give Him glory as you give those around you inspiration.