ULTIMATE MAKEOVER

Ultimate Makeover

14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are
convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died.
15 And he died for all, that those who live
should no longer live for themselves but for him
who died for them and was raised again.
16 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come;
The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:14-17

About 7 months ago, I was told by my doctor (as I had been many times) that my blood pressure was high, cholesterol was on the rise, weight was on the rise, and my overall health was not great. I decided, with encouragement from my wife, to
finally try and do something about it. I have never consistently exercised in my entire life. I was an active child, but when I became an adult, I decided that I no longer needed to be that active. How very wrong I was. So, we decided to join the YMCA. When I started out, I was very committed to do what the coaches at the “Y” were telling me to do. I dreaded every day I had to go, but eventually, exercise started to grow on me. I now look forward to going for a work out. I will never be a Hulk Hogan, but I will be healthier. I have more energy, I feel better, and now I am trying to get off some of my medications. Then 9 days ago, my wife started me on an Advocare 24 day challenge. I began altering my diet. Yes, I have desired a burger and a Dr. Pepper, but seeing the results of my changes keeps me headed in the right direction.
Have you ever considered a makeover? TV shows have shown us how changes in clothes, hair, makeup and weight loss can radically alter the way a person looks. But these changes are only skin deep. You can change outward appearances, but the real you – the person inside- remains unchanged.
How do we “makeover” the real person inside? Many in our culture try in numerous ways to accomplish this change with drugs, alcohol, and secular counseling with no avail. The only way to change the person inside you is by giving your heart and soul to Jesus. Outwardly, you may not look any different, you may not dance any better, you may not have a better golf swing, and you won’t suddenly start talking intellectually, but you will be a new creation! Your old self is gone, and the new you controlled by the Spirit has come! Instead of looking for the approval of everyone you are surrounded by, you realize that Jesus is the only one you care about pleasing. GREAT NEWS – Jesus isn’t at all interested in how we look; instead, He is more interested in how we act. May people see in our actions, the transformation that Jesus has made inside the real us.

Praising Jesus for spiritual makeover,

Aaron Hodges