This blog entry was written by Mandie. I consider Mandie and her family as dear friends and fellow servants of the Lord. They are members of Mount Zion Road Church and most importantly, they are faithful followers of our Lord and King, Jesus Christ. I am thankful and blessed that she was willing to allow me to post this entry on my website. In this writing, Mandie encourages us to find joy in knowing the Lord in the everyday. We are encouraged to share the joy of knowing our Savior Jesus with those around us. I pray that you find her words to be a blessing as you read. To God be the glory!
I am convinced that any experience we have in life can point us to our Creator and a perspective that touches our souls. Having children, I see many examples of this every day. They can teach us so much if we only have the eyes to see and compare it to spiritual truth that God can highlight to us. Jesus used parables to teach- everyday objects and culturally significant customs to highlight His purposes and give understanding to those who belonged to Him. As Matthew 13:9 says “He who has ears, let him hear.” and further on in verse 16: “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.” A few weeks ago, when we had the unseasonably warmer days (and everyone was rejoicing!), Asher and Daniel took it upon themselves to rummage through the summer clothing that is tucked away in our storage area. The result was they found what they were looking for (that, in itself, is a mini miracle) and they were quick to change out of their warm winter garb and exuberantly put on the short-sleeved clothing. If you can, picture little Daniel strutting around the house as joyful as can be to wear, what he saw, as “new” clothing. We have been blessed abundantly by saints who have passed on their clothing to us and so, while not “new” per se, it was new to Ian and he could not have been happier in that moment. It brought a huge smile to my face! In fact, he had some tears over the next few days as I had to explain the dropping temperatures and his need to put on long-sleeved clothing again. Some of you, I am sure, can relate to that feeling he had. When I was witnessing this adorable display of Ian dancing joyfully in his “new” clothing, the concept of our being a new creation came to mind. I thought about how we are to be new creations and as Ephesians 4:22-24 says:
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
When something is new to us, we are the most excited and joyful about it. Over time, that feeling wears off. I see it not necessarily as a problem with the item, unless it somehow broke or wore out, but I see it as a problem with our attitude towards that item. It has lost its appeal and novelty. No longer do we feel as excited about it. No longer do we think about it or tell others about it. It, whatever it is, has lost some of its value in our lives. Speaking of being a new creation in Christ, do we, who have been believers in Christ, still live as joyfully now as we did when we first came to know and believe in Him? Or has the newness, the joy worn out over time- similarly to our experience with a physical item? I thought about how this picture of simple joy by a little boy can teach us how we should be joyful in what we have that is new….our new self, or our true self!! And how much greater that joy should be because it is not a physical item that can wear out over time. As Colossians 3:1-4 says:
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
I pray that God encourages your hearts and minds to walk in the newness of the self He intends for you to live in everyday and that the novelty of it will never wear off! May you be blessed by our Father who loves you abundantly!
– Mandie
photo courtesy of my daughter Ali @ https://www.instagram.com/ali.s.photo.s/ and https://ashuey-prod.myportfolio.com
Corby Shuey 