Which is more dangerous, do you think? The new stop sign on a street you travel regularly? Or the stop sign removed along one of your typical routes?
I have got one of each on my usual routes through my neighborhood. In my mind they are both new happenings, though both changes occurred a few years ago. Still, I have to think about them every day … because, being absolutely a creature of habit, I got used to them the old way. When I moved into the neighborhood 12 years ago, here is what I learned: Stop at the 4-way intersection near the High School and … no need to stop at the busy intersection at the bottom of the hill (because there was not a stop sign there)!
I am certain the traffic engineers made decisions for these changes with the goal of improving traffic flow as well as to make the intersections less dangerous. But I have to be careful to not be responding to muscle memory from the past and rather to be building new muscle memory for the current good and more safe plan, right? Better for me, any passengers who might be with me, and better for my community i.e. other drivers, pedestrians, and the traffic flow.
This is just a glimpse into the brainwork that is a constant in my head. Reminding myself of newish or different patterns that are good changes despite old muscle memory impulses. And, if you are a believer, I would venture to guess it is on-going in your brain too, right?
We read in Scripture that we must put off the old and put on the new. New what? you ask. Well, frankly, pretty much everything! Here’s what the Apostle Paul wrote to his fellow Christians in Ephesus who were challenged both personally and corporately about the old and the new …
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles (unbelievers) do, in the futility of their minds … (so) put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and is to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and … put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4.17, 22-24
Change is on-going for a believer – the sanctifying work is only completed when we enter into the heavenly presence at our eventual physical death. So lean in and do this good muscle memory work, with the Holy Spirit’s help … not selfishly or resentfully, but joyfully and with grace extended to yourself and to others. Paul’s next words give us instructional specifics grounded in faith-focused choices and behaviors …
Share about Jesus: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Ephesians 4.25
Be self-controlled and stay close to the Lord: Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4.26-27
Reform your ways so that you may bless another: Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Ephesians 4.28
Be aware of how you talk (out-loud or in your thoughts!): Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4.29
Live honorably because you have been forgiven, rescued, redeemed: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Ephesians 4.30
Change your attitudes and behaviors toward others: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4.31
And finally – care for others as you have been cared for by Christ: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4.32
Click here to read Ephesians 4 in its entirety – do it today and tomorrow as you embark on this necessary reworking of your muscle memory!
Trusting God’s good work in each of us for our good and His glory – Colleen
Crucial prayer points for this week leading up to VBS … event August 4-8 at PCC
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19.14
- Thanksgiving for the Lord hearing our prayers for more families to join us for VBS. Still room for more!
- Praise for how the Lord will continue to bring children to PCC for next week’s event.
- Please pray for the teams of VBS:
- Décor team whose plan is coming together now!
- Carin and Jenna coordinating all areas!
- Staff supporting the team so generously.
- The Check-in/Check-out team.
- The Assembly and Drama team.
- The Kid Group teams and Bible teachers:
- Preschool.
- Kindergarten and First grade.
- Second and Third grades.
- Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth grades.
- The Games team.
- The Snack team.
- The Science team.
- The Crafts team.
- The Security team.
- The Fireside Coffee team.
- Prayer for children’s hearts to be changed because God worked through PCC for changed lives to His glory!