Morning Dew #43

God, my Renewer

Turning on the garden hose, I watched as the water puddled then made a path through the soft dirt. As the trickle grew to a flow and the track got deeper, I thought, “that’s how our brains work as well. Our cherished thoughts create pathways to behaviors that, with repetition, become second-nature. After a while we complain, ‘I can’t help it, that’s how I am!’” 

Paul himself lamented, “the things that I would not do that I do . . . Who can save me from this?” (Romans 7:15-24). Our first step— admit our need for change, then accept that we can’t do it ourselves. Self-help books promise “sure-fire” methods but the results are usually less than what we hoped. 

Christ, the One who spoke the universe into being, fixed the stars in their places, set the rhythm for seasons and ordered night and day, declares that He can bring order to our lives. He did change the thief on the cross, Matthew the money-grabber, Mary the promiscuous, Paul the religious bigot, Peter the foul-mouthed, and Esther the fearful queen— Why not me?

Dear Lord, I have some habits that are causing havoc in my life. I need to change. Please come in and make me new I pray. Amen