Renew

“… to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.” -Ephesians 4:22-24

Once you’ve taken time for a reset, you can find freedom in the truth of a new identity and new purpose in Christ. That freedom only matters, however, because He renews your life—by giving you a new heart. When God gives you a new heart, He also gives you a new purpose and, through His Holy Spirit, new power to walk out that purpose with boldness, confidence and conviction. You can do anything God calls you to do, but you can’t do it alone!

After his reset, Peter still went through a challenging three-year process that led him to understand God’s truth.

In the days and hours before Jesus faced trial, torture and crucifixion, Peter refused to believe that Jesus would die (Matthew 16:21-23), cut the ear off one of the soldiers who was arresting Jesus (Luke 22:47-53), and denied that he knew Jesus three times (Matthew 26:69-75) just as Jesus had prophesied (Matthew 26:31-35).

When Jesus was taken away to be crucified for our sins, all the disciples, except for John, fled the scene in fear. Three days later, Jesus was miraculously raised from the dead and began appearing to His closest followers. On one occasion (John 21:1-19), Peter was fishing when Jesus approached the shore and began preparing a fire to make breakfast.

Just like the first time they met, Jesus performed a miracle and filled Peter’s nets with more fish than could be handled. Peter ran to meet Jesus. Even though Peter had sinned against Jesus through his denial, Jesus welcomed Peter, restored him, and called him to share the Gospel with the world.

Peter’s new heart gave him new purpose as one of the most successful evangelists in Christian church history. Many years later, Peter wrote these powerful words:

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." -1 Peter 1:3

As an athlete, a reset will often lead to a change in key elements such as training, practice, nutrition and even sleep habits. These changes take place when you’re tired of getting the same results, which leads to in a shift in your mindset.

The same is true for your spiritual life. There are negative attitudes, stressful thoughts, and bad habits that are doing you harm. Your spiritual reset should lead to changes in how you approach every day.

There’s one difference. You can’t make spiritual changes on your own. It’s through the renewal of your heart (or your spirit) that Jesus gives you the ability to change those things that are holding you back. Real change can only happen when you ask Him to forgive your sins and accept the salvation He paid for on the cross.

As you are renewed in Christ, you have a new heart, which creates a new identity in Him. Then, there is a new purpose to your life: To spread the Gospel and live your life for Jesus. As an athlete, your new purpose might be to use your sport as a way to reflect how Christ changed your life or to share the Gospel with teammates, coaches, and others within your sphere of influence.

You also have access to the power of the Holy Spirit, who will give you strength and courage to do what God has called you to do. As you step out in this new purpose and power, you will begin to see your life transformed.

This is the focus: Through Christ, I have a new identity and purpose in Him.

“… to take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth.” -Ephesians 4:22-24