When God Says "New You" Doesn't Mean "Not You

Dear readder -

Reading those verses again today hit different... especially about being grafted in (Rom 11:17) and Christ living in me (Gal 2:20). Had this huge realization during my quiet time - I've been thinking about this all wrong!

Been struggling so much with wanting to just erase myself completely and become some perfect "Christian version." But today I finally got it - that's not even what God wants! It's like He showed me His way is so much better than my way.

Instead of just throwing "me" away, He actually wants to transform who I am. It's like spiritual antibiotics (weird comparison but it makes sense in my head 😅). Like how medicine doesn't kill the whole body, just the bad stuff.

The more I sat with this, the more it hit me... every time I tell Jesus I love Him and want to be closer, He's actually working on this transformation. He's got everything needed - both the part that deals with my issues AND the part that helps me grow.

Honestly teared up thinking about my personality that I've hated so much... He doesn't even want to trash it. He wants to USE it. Just needs to clean it up first.

Feel like I can breathe easier knowing this. Like maybe I don't have to fight against being "me" anymore? Just need to let Him do His work in me.

Note to self: Remember this next time I'm beating myself up about not being "Christian enough." This is His way - not replacement, but transformation.

Thank You Jesus for showing me this today. 🙏

Until tomorrow

Chaplain Mark