I don’t know about you, but every year (typically around January 1st) I love the idea of a “new self”. Out with the old, in with the new. I think of an area or two that could use improvement, and I do my best to work at it. Buuuut then about a month in, (like right about now) I find myself resorting to the same old self I had before, with the same tendencies, priorities, behaviors, etc.
This passage challenges me to not only live a life different than before I knew and followed Christ, but also to surrender to God’s direction and will for my life in the present…letting Him transform me into His likeness as it mentions in verse 24. If I just try a bunch of life hacks, it doesn’t get me very far, but my prayer is that the more time I spend and grow with Jesus…the more and more my new self comes out.
Lord, please remove the distractions of my old self that I still cling to and allow me to surrender them all to Your way and Your will.