#437. Living better or new?
Nov 12th by JonI keep failing. I’m trying to do better. I’m trying to improve the way I think and be less selfish but it’s not working. I was reminded of this last Saturday at a charity organization near our house.
A group in our town runs a small store to raise money and provide household items to the community. My wife and I thought it would be a good idea to buy a bunch of children’s books at the store that we could then donate to the church where my daughter attends preschool. So the whole family loaded up and spent about 30 minutes inside what is essentially a thrift store.
While we were sorting through books, two random high school students that were volunteering came over and began restocking the shelves. In my head, I instantly started to think, “Oh no, they’re going to think I’m poor because I shop here. I won’t look cool in front of them. I’m ashamed.”
Pause.
“No wait, maybe I’m ashamed because I’m not poor and I’m shopping here and they think I shouldn’t be. They don’t know we’re donating the books to a church and will think we’re ripping off this store. We can afford Amazon.com, shouldn’t we be shopping there and not at some thrift store? And, if we were really a good Christian family, led by a good father, we should be here volunteering on a Saturday, not shopping.”
Round and round I went in my head until I finally landed on the thought that I was the most selfish, self-absorbed person on the planet. Who cares what two complete strangers think? How arrogant of me to think they were analyzing why I was there? Why am I still like this?
I’ve tried to get better. I promise I have. My bookshelf is littered with self help books about focus and attitude and purpose and drive. I think a lot about changing my thoughts and trying to fix the way I look at the world and how I can improve myself. But it’s not working. And I don’t think it ever will, because God is a God of new, not better.
I want him to slightly improve me or enhance my existing life and He keeps saying no.
He keeps showing me that I’ve been misreading 2 Corinthians 5:17. I read it as, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is an improved creation; the old has gone, the better has come.” But that’s not what it says, matter of fact, that’s not what it shouts. What it really reads is:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
But I forget that. Sometimes I act like the Bible is a self help book. I treat it like a self help book for a better marriage, a better attitude at work and an easier life. That’s not what it is though. It’s the word of God, and His word is riddled with the idea of “new.”
The great thing is that new isn’t my job. I’m not in charge of renewing my mind. I can’t fix me with me and God knows it. When David prays in Psalm, 51: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” He’s not asking God to give him the tools to renew his own heart, he’s making a request to the only person that can create something new. In Psalm 103, we’re called to praise the Lord “who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” I’m not in charge of building a ladder out of the pit or renewing my own youth. (Big fan of the eagle reference by the way.)
But sometimes new takes longer than we expect. When the process of new appears to slow, we get tempted to help God out. To add our bit of “better” to what He’s doing and we end up in a thrift store with a mind wracked with shame trying to remember some pearls of self help wisdom. The cool thing is that God’s ability to perform the miraculous is not limited to our ability to see it. We don’t have to understand His process of “new” for it to become true in our lives.
In Isaiah 43: 18-19 it says:
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.”
I love that. It feels like God is saying. “You should see this new thing I’m doing. You are going to love it! What’s that, you can’t? Doesn’t matter, I’m still going to make a way in the desert. Just because you can’t perceive it doesn’t mean I’m going to stop making streams in the desert.”
That’s more Bible verses than I’ve ever put in a post, but I’m really tired of trying to live an improved life. It’s exhausting. I’m done with better. I want what God wants. I want new.
Death to better, long live new.
Comments
Thanks, Jon! I needed this today. Why is it so easy to forget this? Ugh, where is my new brain?
New and Improved.
That’s one of those advertising schemes we sometimes fall for.
Remember “New Coke”. When we got the “New” we didn’t like it and screamed for the old back.
It can be that way with God sometimes too (only He won’t cave to public opinion). We don’t always like the “new”, we think we should, we kinda want to, but it’s scary to be new.
If we just go back to the old, but improved, we can still hold on to the familiar, even if it’s not really that good. Familiar is comforting. New can be terrifying.
Thanks Jon for the wonderful insight.
Thank you.
Ouch,
This one is totally me and it hurts to see yourself painted to clearly.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I have heard this verse like 50 times this year, that is actually close to the number of times I’ve heard it not an exaggeration. I even preached a sermon based directly on this verse and used it in 2 other sermons. This verse is stalking me and here you go and dance all around it. Just go ahead and quote it too and get it over with.
Seriously though, I really have been pushed to grow past this and appreciate the way you phrased your own struggles.
Nick -
What a great verse and a reminder. Thanks for sharing it. I needed to hear that.
Jon
Jon, thanks for letting God use your fingers to type his message today….
Jon, thanks for the thoughtful piece.
I liked the reminder that the Bible is NOT a “Self-help” book!
Oh, the limits we put on that Powerful Word!
I think with any “new”, comes a bit of fear or unsettling so probably why I would normally prefer just a tweek!
I don’t recall God saying anywhere in Bible that we just need “Tweeked”.
He is the CREATOR! Not a Re-Creator!
Death to better. Long live new. I love that.
Jon,
I heart your serious posts. I’ve been studying and trying to memorize Psalm 103 lately. The whole chapter is fantastic. Thanks for being so transparent.
Ed,
Good thoughts.
Your honesty stings, but it’s such an accurate portrayl of me. Thanks for sharing!
Love it, love it, love it.
I totally identify with thinking that strangers are analyzing me. I constantly fight the urge to ramble explanations in defense of myself, where I’m shopping or what I’m shopping for, my parenting, my kids’ tantrums at the grocery store…you name it. I feel those words bubbling up in my mouth like percolating coffee, and I’m only now learning that it’s better to scald my pride by leaving them unspoken. I’m working on not allowing them to enter my mind to begin with.
Dude, this was exactly what I needed today. This morn, I spent 20 minutes praying about me, and 5 praying about other, no-so-important things…
thanks
Isaiah 43:18-19 is my favorite verse! Seeing you reference it made my day. Wow, reading that over, I realize I’m not hard to please…
I’ve done that too, worry about what others think when they see me as if I am the star of my own reality show. I think they are analyzing the contents of my grocery cart, when they are probably thinking “Why did they move the canned vegetable section again?” Wouldn’t it be funny if they were actually worried that I was thinking about them? What a hoot!
Anyway, good point about new, not better creation. I often loose patience, and instead of praying and waiting for God to make me new, say “Whatever!” and backslide. I know it’s not bibical, but there is a song from the eighties with the chorus “The waiting is the hardest part…” and it is playing in my head now. I’m going to sit back, listen, and enjoy it now. Bye.
If you ever question your ministry – read back over this post. You really touch so many things right at the heart of the matter. The verse that keeps pounding on me lately -
2 Corinthians 12:9″But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
I am so thankful that He loves me enough to be my strength, because I am so weak.
You hit this one out of the park.
Many treat the Bible and Christianity as an Rx for behavior and “godly” living. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t often one of those people. It’s like just being around Christ is enough. But being “around” Him never saved anyone – Pharisees, Judas, Rich young Ruler, etc. It’s being in Him that matters, having him transform me that makes life worth anything. But often I’ve found myself frustrated because the narrow path feels too narrow at times, especially when I look at others “around” Him who throw a party in the grassy median between the narrow path and the path that leads to destruction. That’s right, I said I’m a little jealous of them having fun in their sin. Sometimes I don’t want to be new. I’m not saying the twinge of jealousy is enough to leave the path, but sometimes it’s enough to make me sit down on it and pout for awhile. Will I ever get over the allure of sin? Yes, I can get over the indulgence, but the allure creeps up just the same.
Am I alone in this?
Great post…thanks for the reminder! It is a process not perfection!
@Mark, You spent 25 minutes praying today.
…
…
great.
Great post Jon. I love these little glimpses into your thoughts and struggles sandwiched in between the humor and sarcasm.
If you haven’t yet, head over to http://www.neueministry.com and watch the latest Nooma video (streaming only today) dealing with this same topic.
I liked this post a lot.
AMEN! …I get so impatient and think that maybe, just maybe He forgot about the new work in me and just like you try to help Him along and usually screw it up. Thanks for the post, I’ll remember to be patient…again.
Stacy -
I don’t think you’re alone in that at all and I really liked this thought:
“being “around” Him never saved anyone”
Jon
I love your honesty – you put words to my thoughts – the ones I’m embarrassed to admit….
thanks for letting me know I am not alone on this journey!
Jon, Another great post.
I have found in my own Christian life, that the better I get to know Christ, the wider the gulf between us seems—between his utter beauty and perfection, and my own sorry pitiful self.
There is NO IMPROVING to be done on this earth by anyone but Him, and truly, we’re not meant to keep sticking our finger in the wind, saying “How’m I doing now3? How ’bout now? What about this thing I’ve gotten better at?”
I think the more we keep our eyes fixed on the prize, the less the world is able to judge us, and the more we can appreciate his mercy and forgiveness, and the work He did on the cross where he said “It is finished.”
IOW, nothing I have done, can do, or intend to do, can “help” Jesus. Nothing I have done, or will do will take away from my salvation in Him. It’s certainly not true of how the world works, but it’s true of the one who said “It is finished.” It is taking my whole life to wrap my head around that one.
Your insight into scripture and the “renewal” concept is much appreciated. This is a great sermon. Thanks.
Thanks, Jon. I now have DC Talk’s “Nu Thang” stuck in my head.
Jon,
Thanks. This is exactly what I needed. My husband is a (former) youth pastor and while we’re job-hunting I keep praying for a “better” place to minister. I think God is telling me he wants to do something new and to leave the heavy lifting up to Him.
Thanks.
Wow. Just wow.
I feel like you just took a little peak inside my mind…
Well done.
Thanks Jon!
Obviously, a lot of people can relate to this – myself included! Thank you for the message; I needed to hear it.
i know the feeling of being tired…of being tired…
o btw, when i woke up this mornin, i had a huge zit on my face, not the word verification is “dotty”. tryin to tell me sumthin?
Thank you for your honesty and your love. I just prayed for you and I in our struggle in this.
I was just listening to a Brooke Frazer song on the way to work, and now some lyrics keep coming back to me.
shed that shallow skin and come and live again
leave all you were before
to believe is to begin
Why is this so hard?
Like you said, I find so often, I feel the need to help God, like he needs my help. I get frustrated with myself and instead of looking to God for help I try to take matters into my own hands. This usually creates a colossal mess.
Thanks, I needed this post today!
OUCH
seriously big freakin OUCH
Jon, God is obviously working through you. Look at the responses of people who needed to hear this today!
Include me in that list too.
God bless you for sending His message.
Can I plagiarise the end of your post? Can I make it a manifesto? Can I? Can I? Huh?
Dude, seriously, good stuff.
Makes me wonder how many people, believers and non-believers alike “end up in a thrift store with a mind wracked with shame trying to remember some pearls of self help wisdom.”
While I’m sure it’s true that God is doing something better with my life than I could ever plan for myself, it’s comforting to remember that “better” doesn’t always translate into “obviously better,” or “improvement of life/lifestyle.”
The new that God brings us into can be scary, but I think it’s the scariness of the situation that leads us to rely on God or ourselves.
One thing I can definitely be thankful for is this passage:
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Regardless of whatever metaphorical spiritual level we stand on, we can all trust in the fact that, as long as we live and breathe, God isn’t done with us.
Why is it always that some of the best thoughts are made when we should be sleeping?
Amen to that Jon.
ouch.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
These are things I need to hear and believe. I just wish belief were as easy as hearing.
Wow, totally needed this. I’ve been struggling with these very thoughts for weeks – literally. God’s looking out for me again. He keeps showing me how much he is providing for my needs. I just needed to be patient.
Thanks – for the transparency.
Awesome post Jon. Put off the old man and put on the new. A complete and total transformation is what all of us need and what God desires to do in us. Great post.
So true. God is the only one who can change our hearts and isn’t that what makes a lasting difference. There is an excellent series by James MacDonald on this called “I really want to change so help me God”. I highly recommend it for those who want a biblical and practical way to change.
“new AND improved” can’t exist. so glad that i’m not in charge of me.
Thanks for sharing this. I feel like I’m selfish at times myself.
Wow, you are totally channeling Oswald today: http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/11/12/devotion.aspx?year=2008
Also, have you watched The Story of Stuff (http://www.storyofstuff.com/)? If you haven’t, you totally should. Soon you’ll find that even if you can afford brand new at Amazon, there’s a beautiful liberation from the consumption/consumerism cycle to be found in buying second-hand/gently used whenever you can.
You continue to amaze me with your insight….thank you.
Nothing wrong with one too many bible verses in a post – you plant the seeds and let the Big Guy handle the watering.
Thanks for the nice post.
Today’s post should go in your book.