Devotion: New Life!
New Life!
Please take the time to read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
It’s time for a new calendar! The one I have from 2022 is all marked up with appointments and commitments, birthdays and anniversaries, activities and trips.
Being one who loves order and schedules; I actually get excited when I get to shop for a new calendar. This one will be pristine. Clean and shiny, with no writing, no scribbles, nothing crossed out.
There’s something satisfying about looking at that brand new calendar, even though I know that soon it will look just like last year’s. For now though, it represents new possibilities and new opportunities, it is the gateway to a new, refreshing life.
The apostle Paul wrote to the Christian church in Corinth about New Life. He had experienced it first hand as he was transformed from one who persecuted those who believed in Jesus Christ as Savior to one who spread the message of God’s love through Jesus Christ, our Savior.
His transformation culminated in his baptism, where he received a new identity as a Child of God, as well as a new name. No longer was he Saul, he was now Paul, a part of God’s expansive family.
We too, are given new life through our Baptisms. This new life is given to us every single day as we live faithfully in God’s love. Each day we are washed clean of yesterday’s sin nd are once again sent to show God’s love to others.
As you fill up your own calendars with activities, appointments, and meetings, remember that each of the days shown there represents a day that you are washed in the waters of baptism and made new once again.
Each day is a new opportunity to live in Christ and to share Christ with others.
Happy New Year!
God of grace, renew my spirit in you. Help me to live into the gift of love you have extended to me in the life of your son, Jesus Christ and in the waters of baptism. Wash me clean and help me to live fully into each day. Amen.
Written by Pastor Sarah Ruch
Pastor Sarah serves as Sheridan’s Associate Pastor of Local Outreach and Missions. She began her ministry at Sheridan in August of 2022 as Transitional Pastor until October 2022, when she was called as Associate Pastor.
Pastor Sarah lives in Lincoln with her husband Miles, and children; Hannah, Caleb, and Aaron. Hannah has just recently begun her college experience at Doane University in Crete. Caleb is in grade 10 and Aaron is in grade 5.