When I was a child growing up and listening to sermons each Sunday at the little Free Methodist Church in Adrian, Oregon I would often hear the pastor talk about the “old self” and the “new self”.  I had ugly pictures of this old man and handsome pictures of the new self.  Now, 50+ years later, I can look in a mirror and see the same face when I look at the old self or the new self.  Only recently, do I realize that the difference between these two is actually a spiritual being rather than a human one.  I really like how Colossians 3 in The Message words this.  In the second paragraph it reads, “Your old life is dead.  Your new life, which is your real life–even though invisible to spectators–is with Christ in God.  He is your life.  When Christ (your real life, remember) shows up again on this earth, you’ll show up, too–the real you, the glorious you.  Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ.”

I’ve always translated my old self as the abused self, the filthy self, the one I had to hide from society.  The new self was the image of the one I portrayed by living a good life, doing good deeds and working to be a good person.  Working through this in the present is confusing and sometimes frustrating.  I’m learning that the spiritual self (the new self) is obscure because it is all about trust, surrender, hope and faith.  These terms are tangible in the spiritual realm and often intangible in our human realm.

I realize this is why Christ tells us to not worry about tomorrow.  If I even try to take my mind into the things of tomorrow I find it is only the old self that goes.  The new self is grounded in today because that is where The Holy Spirit is present and Christ is living with us.  So, join me in living in today.  I commit to living joyfully today and trusting Christ throughout it.