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The theme for the 2017-2018 school year comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17. . . "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (ESV)
In this year’s verse, Paul shares a powerful truth: Because Jesus died for you, you are free to die to your old life. Your old self. Your old past. Your old way of thinking. Your old entanglements. Your anger over old events. Your hurt over old words spoken over your life. And NEW is free to emerge in its place.
You may not remember the day or the hour when you finally feel “new.” Instead, like one season passing into another, you began to shed the old as new ideas and behaviors push up through the soil. Sometimes it will surprise you. Like when the old stories were brought up and you don’t need to engage in them anymore. Or when you think about an old memory, and it was just that — an old memory. Something you can’t change, but that could serve as a teaching marker — leading you to do better in your choices, or with people you love.
Sometimes you will be amazed at how confidently and easily you connect with others. You’ll bravely step out of your comfort zone — not realizing until later it was courageous. You’ll look around startled, and think: Was that me? Yes, yes it was. It was the new you.
In one version of the Bible words the last part of our theme verse says: "The old life is gone; a new life burgeons!" (2 Corinthians 5:17b, MSG). The word "burgeon" means to spill out or over with newness. To multiply. To flourish!
In verse 18, it says that this burgeoning newness is a gift from God as He reached to heal those who had been hurt by sin (whether their own sin or that of another), and brought them back to Himself through Christ.
This gift is for all of us. It’s for you.
You receive it as you walk closely with Jesus, following His lead. Letting go of the old as He gently shows you how.
You receive it as you remove your focus from the person who hurt your heart to a God who treasures you.
You receive it as your story expands to include the new chapters ahead.
You receive it as you begin to break the patterns of the past, no longer doing what you’ve always done, or thinking the way you’ve always thought.
And splish, splash, something begins to burgeon. You’re becoming brand new.
With a new life.
With a new way of thinking.
Heading in a new direction with a newly mended heart as you are prepared for today, tomorrow, and eternity.
God’s blessings on this 2017-2018 School Year!
(Thoughts from proverbs31.org)