Renewal

We had our first bible study of the year the other night. I was not prepared to continue with the material we have been studying. Just a bit slow getting back into the swing of things, I guess.

Instead, I asked the group to reflect on the idea of renewal.

Many people look at the start of the new year as a blank slate. A time to make resolutions and redouble their self-improvement efforts.

Resolutions are different than renewal. Resolutions are based on our own efforts to change. We ‘resolve’ to create a new habit or quit an old one. Renewal is less about what we can do. We can’t create ourselves over. We can’t cleanse our lives of all our iniquities. We have to lean on God for renewal.

Psalm 51: 10 – 12 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.