A new decade. A new year. A year to renew our hearts, our souls and our lives. Renewal is a new mercy that God gives daily.
The word renew captured my attention as 2019 drew to a close and the door opened to 2020. The definition of this word, renew brings with it a sense of excitement and expectation. Webster defines it this way: 1. to make like new; restore to freshness, vigor or perfection. 2. to make new spiritually–regenerate 3. to restore to existence–revive; to make extensive changes in–rebuild 4. to do again–repeat; to begin again–resume 5. replace or replenish.
Such possibility and opportunity encompassed in this small word! I love to renew a room to order after the chaos of the day. A renewed look in a room after the Christmas decorations come down brings joy and calm to my spirit. Hanging a new painting and switching up the decor brings a renewed sense of freshness and vigor to a room.
Renew My Spirit, O God
The renewal we have talked about so far has been in the physical sense of the surroundings that we live in. Yet we must take it a step farther. God speaks to renewal in the spiritual realm. For instance, the well known verse found in Psalm 51:10 says it this way, “Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me.” It is a prayer asking God to create and renew our heart and soul. To restore a freshness and vigor to our lives.
It may be that, the spiritual disciplines of your life have slipped and the daily times of fellowship have been pushed aside. However, God doesn’t fling us aside for good when this happens. He continues to gently woo us back to His side until once again our heart longs for a restored existence with Him and we seek God for that renewal of spirit.
Renovate to Renew
God does renew our spirits. But there also may be things that we must do. For example, are there photos hanging on the walls of our soul that need to come down? Is the decor of our minds cluttered with the worries of tomorrow or lies that the devil has insidiously woven into our lives? Take an inventory at the beginning of this new year. What depictions, impressions or representations does God want us to replace about Himself? Are there strongholds in your life that need to be torn down? Has your thought life been searched and brought into the obedience of Christ?
The fears of today and the worries of tomorrow can be removed. With God’s help we can make extensive changes and rebuild the cracked walls or crumbling foundations that may have taken over.
We are admonished in Romans 12:2 “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The word renewing here in the Greek speaks of renovation. A renovating that is our responsibility. Consequently, we must do what we can to renovate our mind into thinking from God’s perspective.
Our minds are apt to easily slip into the mindset that we have lived with for years. The thoughts that we think and the habits that we have formed may be in need of renovating or renewal. For instance, are our thoughts passing through the grid of whatever is true, honest, just, good report and praise? Or have we slipped into the habits of criticizing, as well as degrading and unthankful thoughts?
Transformation Brings renewal
The transformation of our souls will happen as we renew our minds. Metamorphoo is the Greek word for transform. This brings to mind the metamorphosis we see from caterpillar to butterfly. An awe inspiring transformation that depicts the definition correctly. That definition is to fashion or form through the idea of adjustment of parts. Similarly, it is through the adjustment of the different parts of our mind and spirit that we see a renewed transformation in our lives.
Further, in Paul’s epistles he stresses the thought of being renewed in spirit as well as renewed in knowledge. What joy can be ours as we seek God for a renewed spirit and mind. There may be adjustments and extensive changes God would have us put into place. On the other hand, we can live with a restored freshness and vigor as God helps us to declutter our mind and soul. Certainly, this trade-off is worth it.
Find ways to slow and realize the beauty in God’s creation. It helps in the decluttering process of the mind. Revel in the beauty of a winter sunset, hike a trail in the forest, stop alongside a winding river and just breathe in the stillness. As a result, we can find a replenishment of the peace and joy that God wants us to possess.
Renew. A word for the new year. Make this year a year of renewal of mind, soul and spirit. To sum it up, we can have a restored existence, a revitalized spirit and a transformed life. Let’s replenish our souls. Breathe in the new life that God wants to impart as we stop and still before Him.
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