Resetting Hearts and Minds
WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ
Three quick examples of God’s creative power to make all things new
Have you ever had a television or computer that just wouldn’t cooperate? No matter what you do, the screen freezes up and your system crashes. In fact, everything you try seems to make it even worse! The only option left is to hit the “reset” button and reboot the whole thing from scratch.
Resetting is often frustrating. We may lose important things we were watching or working on. Hours of work may now be lost, but it was the only way to fix the problem, so reset we must.
While the reset button helps those of us who are electronically challenged, we can apply the same kinds of principles to our own lives. Sometimes it is good for us to have a few places we can flip to in scripture to give us a quick word of encouragement. Here are some prominent Biblical examples where God talks about resetting our hearts and minds:
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43:18-19
We often are more comfortable relying on God’s consistency. God does not change in regards to his character. This can be a wonderful source of comfort. However, we also must remember that we cannot place God in a box. He has the ability to show up in the most unexpected ways in our lives, yet never in ways that are contrary to his word.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” John 13:34-35
This is an interesting statement by Jesus. After all, was it not always God’s command to love one another (Lev 19:18)? While it is true that God has always commanded the love of thy neighbor, Jesus embodies this teaching in a radical new way. He gives us an example of just how far sacrificial love will go, and he encourages us to do the same.
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh” Ezekiel 11:19
God was already anticipating a new covenant through his prophets. Ezekiel foresaw the drastic and radical changes that would happen to God’s people. Their stone hearts would be replaced with a heart of flesh. Through the new covenant Christ builds his Church and through his Church the world is filled with the knowledge and worship of the one true God.
These are only but a few examples of God creating new beginnings. Our God is one of creation. The one who speaks the universe into being and resurrect the dead can, by all means, grant you a new beginning filled with the life of the Spirit. Thus, ask God to make himself present in your life, that he might refresh your soul and uplift your spirit in Jesus name. Amen.