Happy Newness

There's something wonderfully exciting about a new year.I love "new." I remember our first brand new car. I can almost still smell that wonderful new car smell. Not in real life, of course. In a family car, the new smell lasts about 20 minutes, depending upon exactly when the kids are allowed in. My car now smells like sweat socks and week-old burgers. I once found a french fry in therethat looked like a little string of yarn. A little string of blue yarn.

I hate to admit to the wooly green yarn I found between the seats. I'm pretty sure it had been a hot dog in another life. If I had hung onto both yarn samples a little longer, and if I were more creative, I might have made a pretty interesting tapestry- one that might have even been a reasonably significant source of protein.

And here's an interesting factoid. Did you know that if you leave a cup of grape drink in the car long enough, it can achieve status as a life form? I think it may be protected under some kind of government provision. At least we were able to claim a couple of extra dependents on our tax return.

Still, that wonderful new car smell is filed away in a special place in my memory; filed far, far away, but there nonetheless.

As exciting as a new car can be, there's a newness that's eternally more exciting. Our Heavenly Father can take the stench of our sin (infinitely worse than anything I have growing in my car) and morph it into something beautiful. He makes us brand, spanking new! Second Corinthians 5:17 reminds us what Christ has done for us: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (NIV)

Why try to hang onto or cover up the old stench when Christ offers all-encompassing, wonderfully fresh newness? There's no way we can deal with the stench in our own strength anyway- even with best conduct. Merely trying to cover over sin with good deeds is like trying to mask a month's worth of fast food burgers by hanging a four-inch paper evergreen tree on the rear-view mirror. Talk about futile!

We have to deal with the sin- get rid of it- not try to mask it with cheap air-fresheners. "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24, (NIV)

New self smell? It far surpasses the new car smell. It can make your new year the best ever. Through newness in Christ, life is marvelously fragrant! No matter what's growing in the cup holder.

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Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site.