When I decide to follow Jesus there are things that have to change. I can’t just add Jesus to my old life, like trying to cover the holes in an old, worn-out lifestyle with a patch of new cloth. The changes He is bringing to me begin to pull me away, and the old life will come apart.

I can’t contain a whole new relationship with God on the inside in the shape of my old life. The explosive power of spiritual growth will blow the old lifestyle apart. I’ll make a mess of both my new life and my old one.

The whole cloth of my life is going to be changed for something new and better. The old ways of doing things, habitual ways of thinking and speaking, old friendships, values and entertainment venues will have to be replaced with fresh ones. Follow Jesus into a new life, or follow the old ways. It’s a choice; I find that I can’t have them both.

It’s hard sometimes, because I’m comfortable with the old ways. They’re familiar, even if they’re rotten.

Lord Jesus, help me to choose well, today. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles