God Understands That I Can’t Change Overnight

In review of Ephesians 4:24 it says, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

Bottom Line:

Put on a new you, which was created in God’s likeness, true righteousness and holiness.

What this means to me:

I am to be a new and different person, one which is created in God’s likeness and will reveal itself in a life that is upright and holy.

What I’m learning is that when God wants to remove the defects in my life, he doesn't just snap his fingers so that it happens instantly. He does it incrementally. When God wants to make a mushroom, he takes six hours, but when he wants to make an oak tree, he takes 60 years.

Would I rather be a mushroom or an oak tree?

I’m also learning that the Holy Spirit will make changes in your life far beyond anything I thought possible, but they won’t happen overnight.

In order for me to be stronger emotionally, physically, spiritually, psychologically, and financially, I've got to be intentional about it. This verse reminds me to, “Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT, second edition).

This is how I become more like Jesus. I am to throw off the old things and the old ways that keep me from getting to know Christ and becoming like him, and rely on the help of the Holy Spirit. I let God do his work in me, no matter how long it takes.

“As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18b TLB).

In summary, I am to put on a new self, one that is created in God’s likeness and character. So today I pray, “Thank you God for making me in your likeness. With the help of the Holy Spirit the outcome of my life will reveal a life that is upright and set apart for service to you. It’s also good to know that you don’t expect me to change overnight. You know my heart and know that it takes time for me to lasting change.” Overall, true change in my life will take some time, I can’t expect it overnight. I just need to make sure that each day I’m moving more toward the person he wants me to be. To that end I need to have goals for my life and my ultimate character. I need to think about what I want my life to look like 10 years from today. Each day I will ask him to help me trust him as he work to fulfill his ultimate purpose for me.