CHARISSA CHEONG reflects on the idea of ‘newness’…
London, UK
A new day dawns in Richmond Park, London, UK. PICTURE: Simon Wilkes/Unsplash
We have been buried with Him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. – Romans 6:4 (ESV)
I recently got a pair of new shoes. I’ve only had the courage to wear them out once, and that’s because they’re made of bright white leather. I’ve been terrified of getting them dirty, and let’s not mention the pain of breaking them in.
On the day that I got them, I (somewhat naively) tested them out while on a long walk during a day trip to a nearby town. After walking for about 40 minutes, my feet felt incredibly sore as they rubbed against the tough leather.
“I like how, in the ESV translation, it is described as ‘newness’ of life, rather than a ‘new life’, precisely because new things don’t always feel exciting or fresh.”
When I looked down at the shoes, I was struck by how quickly mud had gathered near the soles, and the excitement with which I first opened up the brand new box had already begun to fade, much like the shoes themselves.
I think in today’s world, many of us are a bit guilty of always looking out for the newest thing. And once we get the new shoes, or coat, or gadget, it doesn’t take long before it starts to feel used and old, and we turn our attention to the next new thing we can get our hands on.
But, you see, the Bible is also caught up with this sense of the ‘new’. In this verse in Romans, Paul tells us that by dying and being raised with Jesus at salvation, we are invited to walk in “newness of life”.
I like how, in the ESV translation, it is described as “newness” of life, rather than a “new life”, precisely because new things don’t always feel exciting or fresh.
I recently started a new job, and though I’m only a few weeks in, I’ve already struggled with feeling tired and worn out. The excitement I felt when I was first offered the job has dwindled, because I’m already tempted to look ahead to the next promotion. “Newness” describes a constant feeling of being new.
The Bible is constantly directing our attention away from the old and towards experiencing the new. Elsewhere in his writings, Paul tells us not to “conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. He also instructs us to throw of our “old sinful nature” and put on the “new nature, created to be like God.”
Jesus, our Saviour seated at the right hand of the Father, promises to come back bringing a “new Heaven and a new Earth” with Him. In the final book of the Bible, He asks us to recognise that He is “making all things new”. He is constantly, and presently, making new what was old.
I hope to remind you that if you’re currently feeling stuck in an old way, cycle of behaviour, or thought pattern, God is always ready and able to bring newness into your situation. The powerful work of His Spirit does not start to fade and grow dull over time like a pair of white shoes, but it is constantly being renewed as we invite Him into our lives.
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Recently, when I was working from home and feeling pretty exhausted by lunch time, I lay on my floor and listened to worship music, asking the Lord to renew my mind. When I got up to go back to work, I genuinely felt a renewed sense of energy that got me through the afternoon with ease.
If you’d also like to experience such newness, which is constantly available to us, could I perhaps invite you, wherever you are right now, to reflect on these words from the Bible, and ask the Lord to give you newness of life.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases
His mercies never come to an end
They are new every morning
Great is your faithfulness
– Lamentations 3:22-23.
