Chardon United Methodist Church

A mother cradles her newborn in her arms, a child holds her new kitten in her lap, a teenager cleans and polishes his brand new car.  Newness.  What feelings come to mind when you experience something new? Excitement? Awe? Joy? Elation? Happiness? Do you have others? These are all feelings that help us know the joy of living.

Being a Believer in Christ gives us these same emotions. “Through Christ, all things are made new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. When Christ enters our lives old things that hold us down, or bring us guilt or lower our self-esteem are washed away. We are renewed and “born again” — NEW. As Christ said to Nicodemus: “I tell you for sure you must be born from above before you can see God’s kingdom.” Nicodemus asked him how we can be born again and he replied, “I tell you for sure that before you get into God’s kingdom, you must be born not only by water but by the spirit...only God’s spirit can change you into a child of God.”

We are so often weighted down by worries or school, work, friends and family, but God can change us. God can help us. God will guide us. God will love us. In turn, we experience newness and all the wonderful feelings that go with it. Join me this new year and become new. Let Christ be the Lord of your life. You will never be the same again. How AWESOME!!!