New Creation in Christ

Have you ever been caught in a storm? What lesson(s) did you learn coming out of the storm?

I will never forget the day I was coming home from work when another car stalled on the overpass. The sky began to darken, and the clouds were moving fast. The wind was racing all around me at 60+ miles an hour. It was the perfect weather for a tornado. I remember yelling in my car, "God, you're scaring me!"

The storm reminded me of a time when it might have felt chaotic because of the darkness. Jeremiah 4:23 said, "“I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form and void; and the heavens, they had no light.” Can you imagine a world consumed with darkness? Maybe you can relate to being in a dark place mentally or emotionally.

You may be chained to an addiction that refuses to loosen its grip on your life. Maybe you are suffering a terminal illness or standing by watching a loved one who will soon pass away. Anxiety and depression may be consuming your life, causing you to feel paralyzed. You might feel broken from a recent divorce or abusive relationship. This is the first time in a long time you are walking through life alone.

There was a woman in John chapter 8 who could relate to walking in darkness. Although we do not know her name, we sure do know her story thanks to the scribes and Pharisees.

These self-righteous men walked toward the temple where Jesus sat teaching the multitude and "sat her in the midst" of them (John 8:3). The men went on to remind Jesus, the Author of the law, that her act of adultery was worthy of being stoned.

Without batting an eye, Jesus simply kneeled down and began writing in the sand. He rose up and challenged the men to follow the law of Moses and throw a stone at her. After all, she deserved death. There was only one condition. The one who would throw the first stone had to be without sin. Again, Jesus kneeled down and began writing in the sand.

What did He write? Maybe He wrote the words "New Beginnings." One by one, the accusers, judges, self-righteous, religious men turned and walked away.

Jesus asked the woman who condemned her. No one. He looked directly at the woman and said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and send no more" (John 8:11). Then, He looked at the multitude who remained and said, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).

When you accept that you are a sinner in need of a Savior, believe Jesus died and rose again, and confess your sins before Him, then you are filled with this Light through the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 5:8 says it best, "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Then beauty can rise again because "the new creation has come, the old has gone, and the new is here!"

In my latest devotional book, Beauty Rises Again: From Brokenness to New Beginnings, I challenge you to make a t-chart. On one side, write the words "Things I Cannot Control" and on the other side write, "What I Can Do Instead." I challenge you to think about what is keeping you in darkness and chained to your past. How can God help you break this chain through the reading of His Word and prayer. If you need help, feel free to email me at whitneysparks4110@gmail.com.

Are you wanting to start off the New Year right by joining a ladies Bible study group but worry about the time commitment? Join our ladies ONLINE each Tuesday night on Facebook at 7:30 p.m. CST as we learn how God can break our chains of brokenness and sculpt our lives into something beautiful.

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