Brand New

Today I got a new Bible. I was so excited because I had been wanting an ESV translation of the Bible for a long time now, so today I finally got the opportunity to make my way to the Christian book store and get one. It wasn't a hard choice to make when searching for a Bible that I could carry around every day with me, as an explorer would carry a compass to know where to go as well. I was overwhelmed with excitement as I hurried back to my dorm to enjoy my new treasure and as soon as I was in my room I sat down and immediately took out my highlighter, anxiously going through and highlighting each of my favorite Bible verses. Then I paused for a moment and wondered why the hurry. Did I not want to take the time to think about why I hold each of these verses so dear to my heart? Why were these verses so important that I would highlight these from the rest? I slowly flipped through the pages, this time paying closer attention to how the crisp pages of this Bible stuck together until I gently pulled them apart. I began to think of myself as the pages of the Bible. About how when I turned to each new chapter in my life how it seemed to cling to the one before until something or someone gently pulled the two apart. I began to think about the person I was before I really started to build my relationship with Christ compared to the person I am becoming through Him. I thought about how excited I was  today to get this new Bible and how in reality I shouldn't be anymore excited today than I am every morning when I wake up and open His word. Why now am I this excited, I wondered. Have I lost the spark I once had when I first started this journey? At once I was mad at myself for allowing the distractions of this world to keep me away from this small but mighty Book. Then once I was done wallowing in self pity I felt an ever so soft voice saying reassuring me that I was not alone, that I am never alone. Even when I fall I am picked up again by God's grace and mercy in such a way that is incomprehensible. So now I begin again, fresh and new. A refreshing feeling in my soul. And just as the pages of this Bible are new and cause me to rejoice in the renewal of His word, as am I. New.

"You make me new. You are making me new!"