Patched Up or Made New?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

 Corinthians 5:17

A figurine of a little girl dressed up in her mother’s long coat, large hat, high heels, and a large purse by her feet.  It was a Christmas gift from my husband many years ago, and I love it!  She stands about twelve inches tall, and it has always been a special treasure to me.  I displayed her in a prominent place where I could see her often.  She did get knocked over once, and there was a little chip broken off.  I was sad, but I glued the chip back into place and I was the only one aware that she had been damaged just a little.

            Not long after that, I found the figurine on the floor.  I didn’t see it happen, but it had to be our cat that was responsible this time, and the damage was much more severe.  One high-heeled foot had broken off, a piece of the purse was broken off, and several other areas were chipped.  I was especially sad this time, but I did my best to glue the pieces I could match up.  I didn’t tell anyone about the damage.  I couldn’t leave her on the original prominent shelf because, in the light, it was obvious that she had been broken in many places.  So, I moved her to a shelf in a darker corner where the cracks were not quite as obvious.

Before too long, my husband discovered the damage.  He asked what had happened, and he concluded that I should throw it away.  But I told him she was still precious to me, and I wanted to keep her, even with all the cracks.  The following Christmas, I opened a gift from my husband, and it was a new figurine, exactly the same as the original.  I was amazed!  These were quite expensive for our budget at the time, and I was satisfied to keep the one with all the cracks.  But he assured me he wanted to give me the new one! This time, I put her on a shelf where I knew she would be protected.  And she is still perfect!

I didn’t realize it at the time, but these figurines now represent what I experienced years later in my marriage and in my relationship with God.  Even though I was a Christian, I made a series of choices that led to an adulterous relationship and eventual separation from my husband.  I knew this was not what God wanted for my life, but it seemed impossible to give up that relationship.  After several months of separation and daily undeniable conviction from God about my choice, I made the decision to return home to my husband if he still wanted me.  By God’s grace, he was willing for me to come home and we agreed to go away for ten days of intensive counseling to work on our marriage. 

That was only the beginning of a long period of continuing to try to “fix myself.” My marriage was broken, I was broken, and I felt helpless and hopeless. 

Finally, several months after returning home, I surrendered myself and my marriage completely to God.  God led me that very morning to make an appointment with a counselor who had been able to help a friend of mine.  For the first time, I felt a small degree of hope.  It was a long and painful journey through counseling, but over time God was able to accomplish what was impossible when I was trying to “fix” myself. 

            Looking back, I see that I was like that broken figurine when I turned away from God.  I tried very hard to patch myself and make life work the way it was supposed to.  But when I completely surrendered to God, He didn’t just patch up the broken pieces and put me on a shelf in a dark corner.  He forgave me, and although it took some time, He created in me a new heart of love for Him and for my husband. Our marriage became stronger than it ever was before!  A miracle that only God could accomplish!  He has made me a new creation, not just patched up with all the cracks still showing!  I have a deeper personal understanding of God’s love, His grace and mercy, and His power to change hearts and lives and marriages.  And, in His time, God has given me the blessing of ministering to women again through writing and teaching Bible studies, offering hope and encouragement to those in difficult life circumstances.

            At this Christmas season, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that God sent His Son Jesus to be born as a baby on the earth He created.  Jesus lived among people to reveal God to us.  And then He willingly went to the cross to pay the death penalty for the sins of the whole world. 

Our God loves us so much He was willing to pay that price so that we could live with Him now and throughout all eternity!  And He doesn’t just patch us up and try to cover up all the cracks.  He causes us to be born again spiritually and gives us new life.  He wraps us in His robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10).  When we receive God’s gift of salvation through faith in what Jesus has done for us, we become “a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).  There can be no greater gift! 

PERSONAL REFLECTION

Have you received God’s gift of salvation?  Thank Him for that amazing gift and what it cost Him to give it.  If not, you can pray and ask Him to forgive your sins. You can invite Him to be your Savior and your Lord.  Ask God for a friend who is a follower of Jesus who can help you get to know Him.

During this Christmas season, I’m asking God to give me fresh awe and wonder at the birth of Jesus.  I don’t want to let the Scripture become so familiar that it loses its amazing truth.

Is there a circumstance in your life that seems hopeless, that you feel helpless to change?

Be encouraged that if you cry out to God for help, He does hear, and He can do what seems impossible.  It begins with complete surrender to God.  He will even help you to have a willing heart to surrender if you ask Him!