New Tricks

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 

They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I think the dog just has to be willing. In fact, one of my children recently taught me a new technique for cutting pineapple. Now I’ve been cutting pineapple the same way for at least 30 years, so I figured I knew how to do it pretty well. But I was willing to watch and listen about this new technique. I was blessed and surprised by learning this new trick!  Not only is it easier and more efficient using the whole pineapple, it is also a much prettier presentation. I’m pretty sure this new way even made the pineapple taste better! While I will never go back to the old way of cutting pineapple, I know it will take some practice to get the same results. But I’m willing to try.

And that’s what it takes for us to be blessed anew in surprising ways. Just being open and willing to learn new ways of doing things is the first step.  Paul’s words to the Corinthians about the new creation sound exciting but also a little bit scary. Sometimes we like the old way, and the new way is unfamiliar. This is especially true in the church. Yet we are faced with a changed world after 2020, and we need to be willing to try new ways of doing things so we can thrive into the future. We don’t need to throw the baby out with the bath water. We just need to be open to a new way of cutting the pineapple.  

The key to St. Paul’s blessing of the new creation is the first part, “If anyone is in Christ…” It is the risen Christ who gives us the strength to face new beginnings through our faith. He gives us everything we need to try new ways of being church together sharing the good news of his love in our ever-hurting world. Let’s step out in faith willing to learn some new tricks. We will be blessed anew as this new creation surprises us, and it might even taste better! 

Embracing change, Pastor Andrea