A new creation
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
I have often watched a tv programme called The Repair Shop where people bring in their much loved family heirlooms that have long since lost their beauty and functionality. They are then lovingly restored by experts to their former glory.
It may be an old family clock, grandma’s favourite childhood doll, a Second World War radio, an old wooden rocking horse – anything that has sentimental value. The skilled craftsmen and women, including a carpenter, a ceramist, and a leather worker, then work tirelessly and with such precision to carefully and lovingly repair the family heirloom.
It’s wonderful to see the expression on people’s faces when they come to collect their now fully functioning, gleaming items.
This reminds me of how God so lovingly works with us. We may come to him as broken, careworn people who need ‘fixing’ to restore us, in our case not to our former self, but to a new creation beautiful in God’s eyes (Eph 4:21-24). I have a worship song that I often listen to, written by Stormzy, called ‘Blinded By Your Grace’, I love the words:
Lord I’ve been broken
Although I’m not worthy
You fixed me
Now I’m blinded by your grace
You came and saved me.
However broken our past may have been, Jesus, our very Creator, is able to make us brand new, fully functioning and shining bright, restored forever.
Prayer
Father thank you for your Son Jesus, our Master Repairer, who so lovingly moulds and shapes us into a new creation that is precious in your sight. Amen.
Study by June Burrows
About the writer:
June Burrows attends the Southampton congregation of Grace Communion International
Local congregation:
Gracecom Southampton
Hythe and Dibden Parish Hall.
West Street, Hythe,
Southampton, SO45 6AA
Meeting time:
Saturday 11:00am
Local congregational contact:
Peter Noon
southampton@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact: wordoflife@gracecom.church