and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:24 NAS95)
I have no idea when I started using this verse as a daily prayer for my life. It goes back pretty far, and God continues to accent things in it because I have conversed with Him about it for so long.
Recently, He’s even shown me, and I have received it, that He’s slowly, graciously, responding to it. Not that He didn’t start answering the request when I started praying it, but that it took a while for me to notice what has taken place.
My prayer, and I quote: “make me a godly individual, one who lives in accord with the new nature which You created in me at the point of my salvation in holiness and righteousness of the truth.” I didn’t memorize the verse, but its ideas formed the prayer.
I didn’t know it, but the prayer concerned the ongoing process of renewal in my life. I had no idea what I was doing. I just wanted to live a godly life, pleasing to God. Basically, I prayed: grow me up in this new life I know nothing about even though I am talking to you about it. I had an idea of the goal. I sputtered along the way and God did His thing.
I laugh because God, on His own initiative, started saying, see this, see that, what about this, did you notice? He started pointing out His work in me that He accomplished while I was sleeping — not literally — but the awareness of His work lacked until He started pointing it out to me.
As He shared that renewal that I’d missed, my heart/interior/emotions brought me to tears. His renewal had been a hidden work, but a blessing. I didn’t earn it. He knew I wanted it, so He brought it about in my life. My contribution consisted of the desire to reflect His likeness. Have I arrived? No, but God thinks I’m making progress. And He makes me glad by what He has done.
Even receiving His words meant that growth in renewal had occurred. So much has taken place that I carry a joy and a confidence in His presence with me. It almost allows me to see Him. In crazy situations or circumstances, I know He’s doing good in me, through me, and for others around me. Even when I get it wrong that is still true. Renewal. Mind-blowing!
For Reflection:
“Let the glory of the LORD endure forever; Let the LORD be glad in His works;” (Psalm 104:31 NAS95)
- How has God pointed out things that He’s done in your life that He’s proud of in you? If you haven’t done that, would you take a moment to listen to Him now?
- What spiritual practices help you cultivate attentiveness to God’s initiatives in your life?
