We Are Made New

Dec 27

Written By Marissa

With each approaching New Year comes a yearning to hit the refresh button on our lives. We made it through Christmas and here we are, staring at the entrance into 2023. It is a great time to evaluate what worked, what didn’t, and what is to come.

If you are like me, the talk of resolutions is inspiring. I find myself rushing to find tips and tricks to be better. My Pinterest page begins to fill up with articles like, “10 Things to Do Before Bed to Be Successful,” and “5 Ways to Become a Morning Person.” The list goes on and on.

But do be cautious, my dear sister. Resolution season can easily weigh us down if we are not careful. The energy and excitement behind all the goal setting encourages us to take our eyes off of Christ and look instead to ourselves; our capabilities. As a result, we will find ourselves having fallen short. And, in spite of being inspired to improve, we will feel stuck.

Maybe the goals we set fizzled out earlier than expected, or maybe we missed a step in that carefully laid out morning routine.

But take heart, for there is Good News! The refresh button on our lives has already been pushed- hallelujah! Friend, we have been made new and washed clean! We read in Isaiah 1:18, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (NIV).

What a weight lifted! We are sparkling like snow because of what Jesus did for us, not what we did for ourselves. This is the exact opposite picture of those long lists of ways we can improve ourselves based on our own actions. And what a precious, freeing truth this is. We are given a gift of freedom through Jesus’s abundant love.

Of all the resolutions we may set out to accomplish in the New Year, do we have any regarding our relationship with God? In a season where we celebrated the birth of our Savior and how He came to make us new, it seems right to desire an improved connection with Him. We may make a point to pray more, or spend time reading the Bible, or journal more often. Whatever way it may be, I pray we all find a way to spend time with the One who made us as white as snow.

Marissa

Marissa Tarantino currently lives in New York City, though she grew up in East Tennessee. In both places she has worked in children’s ministry to help kids meet Jesus. She values having a deep, personal relationship with the Lord and letting His voice guide her steps in life.

Marissa works as a Tax Consultant, but has always loved writing. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring New York City, drinking coffee, and reading a good book. However, Marissa’s main joy is spending quality time with family and friends!

You can learn more on Marissa’s Instagram here.