I no longer live in Las Vegas but when I do come in town, I
have to drive right by the Las Vegas strip (where all of the casinos are) and I
can’t help but notice that there is always at least one new building or casino
that is in the process of being built. The city of Las Vegas is constantly
evolving as there are constantly new buildings being added to the Las Vegas
Strip. Why does this happen? Because change is a way of life. It seems as
though the city of Las Vegas (more specifically the Las Vegas Strip) is never
going to be fully “complete” as it will continue to grow and a growing city
will only continue to evolve. There are older and deteriorated buildings that
are destroyed, taken down, and replaced by a newer and more beautiful building.
However, some older and classic casino buildings are still left standing because
sometimes, older casinos still add some beauty and history to Las Vegas Strip.
The buildings that are rough around the edges and older mean that the casino
has been around for a while and is still appreciated because hey, the historic
casinos are essential to the culture of Las Vegas.
The same concept can be applied to the life of a Christian. Just like the Las Vegas strip, a Christian person is never fully developed and completed. We as Christians are constantly evolving, growing, changing, and learning. When there is comfort in our Christian walk, I believe that sometimes it means as though we are not challenging ourselves enough, researching enough, or seeking Christ enough. Our walk with God should be an adventure that consists of learning new ways to hear God’s voice, more creative ways to witness to others, and discovering more about ourselves and where God fits into our lives. Just like the older and deteriorated casinos, we ourselves have “ugly” pasts, demons, flaws, etc. However, because our sweet God is a God of renewing (Psalm 23:3 "He restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake"), our old and "inhibiting" pasts are done away with and replaced with hope, happiness, and God's love. We may think that the "ugliness" of our past trials and flaws is what defines us, however what DOES define us is our constant perseverance of seeking God to help us OVERCOME our past and to discover who we are IN HIM.
The same concept can be applied to the life of a Christian. Just like the Las Vegas strip, a Christian person is never fully developed and completed. We as Christians are constantly evolving, growing, changing, and learning. When there is comfort in our Christian walk, I believe that sometimes it means as though we are not challenging ourselves enough, researching enough, or seeking Christ enough. Our walk with God should be an adventure that consists of learning new ways to hear God’s voice, more creative ways to witness to others, and discovering more about ourselves and where God fits into our lives. Just like the older and deteriorated casinos, we ourselves have “ugly” pasts, demons, flaws, etc. However, because our sweet God is a God of renewing (Psalm 23:3 "He restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake"), our old and "inhibiting" pasts are done away with and replaced with hope, happiness, and God's love. We may think that the "ugliness" of our past trials and flaws is what defines us, however what DOES define us is our constant perseverance of seeking God to help us OVERCOME our past and to discover who we are IN HIM.
This is just a reminder that we (just like a city that is constantly evolving and growing) are never fully developed as Christians. There is always more we should want to learn and discover. Dwelling on our past mistakes and trials inhibit us from knowing that we can still receive God's blessings, grace, and forgiveness. Our pasts are forgiven and we are made new: Isaiah 40: 30-31"Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly. Yet those who wait for the Lord will GAIN new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, and they will walk and not become weary."
And just like the older casinos that are still around yet still add beauty to the newness of the city, our "old" and "ugly" pasts may play a role in our development as Christians as well. Even though our past mistakes and sins may seem ugly, old, and unwanted, God has the ability to turn our past into beautiful and hopeful futures because He makes all things work out eventually according to His will. He makes ugly into beauty. Period (Romans 8:28).
So I encourage us to continue evolving, growing, and know that God makes us new and that He will never stop working in us, no matter how much we fight Him on it and think that we are not good enough. Sweet, right?
Seeee.... Vegas ain't so bad now, is it? ;)
Titus 3:5
"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."
Romans 12:2
"And do not be conformed by this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
Psalms 51: 10-12 And just like the older casinos that are still around yet still add beauty to the newness of the city, our "old" and "ugly" pasts may play a role in our development as Christians as well. Even though our past mistakes and sins may seem ugly, old, and unwanted, God has the ability to turn our past into beautiful and hopeful futures because He makes all things work out eventually according to His will. He makes ugly into beauty. Period (Romans 8:28).
So I encourage us to continue evolving, growing, and know that God makes us new and that He will never stop working in us, no matter how much we fight Him on it and think that we are not good enough. Sweet, right?
Seeee.... Vegas ain't so bad now, is it? ;)
Titus 3:5
"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."
Romans 12:2
"And do not be conformed by this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit."
