Have you ever wished you could just start fresh? Maybe you’re looking back at the school year wishing you had studied just a little smarter, gone back and done better in a certain game, or maybe the influence of your friends has pushed you into places you know you shouldn’t be. Maybe you find yourself wishing you could start the entire year in a new city or with a new team.
Turning back the clock to fix grades, or change the friends you made, the team you’re playing for or the way you coached last season is impossible, unfortunately. If we all had the chance to go back and start each moment fresh, we might be spending our entire changing our decisions our actions or the words that came flying from our mouths.
If you are longing for a new start or a new life, or if you desire to become a new person hear this truth:
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
You can’t go back in time and change the choices made, the way you played or the words you used. You can’t change the person you were, but you can change the person you are today—you can start fresh.
When you belong to God, you become a new person through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. When you decide to fully surrender your heart and life to Christ, the result is transformative. Your former way of living is traded in and replaced with a brand-new lifestyle. Out with the old and in with the new!
It doesn’t matter what you did or said or believed years ago, last month or just yesterday, when you say “yes!” to Jesus and turn everything that weighs you down—Jesus’ blood has you fully covered. God tells us:
“Come now, let’s settle this. Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
When you surrender your life for new life in Christ, God sees you as His son or as His daughter. This does not promise a perfect, easy life, or a life without regret or mistakes, but this new life promises that God will be there with us every step of the way. Surrendering to the new life Christ offers means allowing the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out. The Bible tells us:
“Throw off your own sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God- truly righteous and holy.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)
Today, God has given you the chance to start brand new. This fresh start is a free gift through believing in Jesus, confessing your sin to Him, trusting in God and surrendering your old life to Him. God’s love is all in for you, and He will continue to pursue you daily. Go all in for Christ; talk to Him daily through prayer, open His word and connect with others who have made the decision to live a new life for Christ.
You have been called to live life redeemed. Starting fresh means surrendering to a whole new life—a life in Christ!
One way to open your heart and Pursue Life is with FCA’s The CORE. Get eight essentials to strengthen your faith and grow in your relationship with Christ, and then put it into action to disciple others.
Want to learn more about pursuing life and growing your relationship with God? Head to FCA in Action and read our June Pursue articles:
Anchor Article: It’s Time: Surrender Your Heart
Article Two: One Way: Surrender to Jesus
*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.
About The Author:
Claire grew up in FCA doing Surf camps with her family for 15 years in New Jersey. She graduated from Liberty University in 2020 and now lives in Kansas City with her husband Eli. Claire works in the Ministry Advancement Department at FCA's Support Center.
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Photos courtesy of Canva