I cannot tell you how many places I’ve read “New Year, New You” in the past few days. It’s that time of year again for “New Beginnings”. That time when gym memberships increase and the facilities/classes are flooded with resolutions. Sales of diet and fitness equipment go up, along with the attendees at Weight Watcher meetings. People flood in masses to find the elusive “New You”.

I guess in some ways it’s appropriate to consider a new year a fresh start at whatever needs refreshing, but the problem with it is that when people perceive that they’ve failed to create the “New Them”, they typically quit (usually by mid-February) and just wait till they become hyped up to try again in the new year. What if this year wasn’t just different in the beginning, what if it changed the rest of your years? What if you no longer viewed things as though you needed a “do-over” but you turned and changed your behavior right then, in the middle of August, or the middle of the day, if need be?

I’ve got news for you, the “New You” isn’t found in some weightloss or fitness program. Oh sure, you may lose a few pounds, run a race, and discover a new size pant, but are you really “new”. The only place I’ve remotely seen a glimpse of a new me has been in the eyes of my Savior. He tells me that in Him, I am a “new creation”. He says I am crowned with “glory and honor”. He is enthralled by my beauty. As a work of His hand, I am “wonderful”. I am “holy and dearly loved”. Looking unto Him, I become radiant. God says so much more in His Word about His children, and it’s wonderful stuff, but why don’t we live like this is our identity in Christ? Perhaps it’s because our minds still believe the old and not the new? Here’s a verse to ponder, as you consider “where’s the New You?”

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. ~ Romans 12:2 (AMP)