The Gift of Renewal (a promise for each of us)

During my walk this morning, I felt a sense of newness—a new beginning if you will. God was working (as He is every day), but today I could actually feel it!

It was a cool morning, around freezing, and invigorating. As the sun broke over the horizon, it illuminated not just a small area but everywhere I looked. Another day was dawning; time being renewed; opportunities restored.

As I continued to reflect, I was reminded that God is in the business of renewal—not just in nature but with us!

Renewal

“Renew” is defined as

1. to make like new: restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection;

2. to make new spiritually.

What a rich meaning; one full of promise! King David acknowledged this promise when he sang “He renews my life” (Psalm 23:3).

The Apostle Paul expressed the promise more directly in Titus 3:5:

“He saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”

Through the Holy Spirit and Jesus’ sacrifice at the cross, we are being restored to freshness and vigor—to perfection in the eyes of God!

No matter how bad things get, no matter how I screw up, there is always hope because the next moment is being renewed … the next hour … the next day … the next week.

We continue to be transformed and renewed until that glorious day when we are with God in heaven!

Now that’s a promise I can hold onto and one to give thanks for!

No matter how bad things get, or how we screw up, there's always hope because God continually transforms & renews. Click To Tweet

Reflections: How do you sense God renewing you? 

Here are more items on my list of thanks (almost to 100!):

76. Owls calling in chorus just off our deck.

77. Wisconsin—such a beautiful state.

78. A brilliant full moon.

79. The calls of coyotes in the distance.

80. John Denver songs.

81. Spending one-on-one time with my children.

82. An encouraging word shared at just the right time.

83. Acorns, hickory nuts, and walnuts falling from the trees in late summer/early fall.

84. The smell of fresh-cut hay.

85. Rolling hills and meadows plopped in the middle of deep woods.

86. And of course the promise of renewal!

How is God doing a work of renewal in your life?

“A single grateful thought towards heaven is the most perfect prayer.”—Lessing