My husband Philip shared a great illustration of what life with Jesus looks like today. He said that God’s grace and the difference between our old life and the new life he gives are like when you have old tyres on a car. You get used to driving on the worn parts of your tyres, being bumped and jarred around and having to be careful in particular conditions.
Then you get brand new tyres, and suddenly your driving because more confident, safer and smoother regardless of the weather or other conditions. However, when you initially get your new tyres, you’re not yet accustomed to how smooth and effortless the ride will be. You act like you still have your old tyres on, especially when negotiating challenging conditions. Rather than enjoying the ride and trusting your tyres will take your car safely where you want to go, you expect to slip and slide on the road and act like you have an old, beaten up car to match your worn out, old tyres, as well.
In life, we are much the same as those two types of tyres. Before you ask Jesus into your world, it’s like you have these worn and unsafe tyres on your car. You can go places, but it’s often a bumpy, slippery ride, and if you’re not careful or you come under pressure, you can find yourself in a ditch or frequently sliding onto the wrong side of the road, going places you never wanted to go.
Then Jesus comes along and offers to exchange your old life for a brand new one with the equipment and power to take you amazing places. He gets out the road map and shows you where you can travel with him and then equips you with everything you need for that sort of life. Jesus makes everything new, and the “tyres” he gives to take you on the journey are top of the range and fitted just right for you.
Your task every day is to get used to living out that God type of abundant life with Jesus. It means you no longer have to be afraid of messing up all the time, taking the corners too fast, or sliding onto the wrong side of the road. Why? Because you are complete in Jesus and “Everything you could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in you by his divine power.” (1 Peter 1:3 TPT)
You need only to recognise and grow to understand what you are carrying on the inside of you already, and then choose every day to live that truth out as you enjoy the journey with Jesus riding alongside you.
“For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (Colossians 2: 9-10)
Today I encourage you to commit your life to Jesus and to exchange your old life, much like old worn tyres, for a brand new one. It’s a gift, and all you need do is ask Jesus to come into your life and exchange your old one for the life he offers.
Or perhaps you have already asked Jesus into your life – you’ve been given your new tyres, but you’ve been living like you still have your old ones on. If that’s the case, take some time to remind yourself of who you are in Jesus and all that he says about you. Trust that you have what it takes in Jesus and deposited on the inside of you, to live the life He has planned, and then every day go out and enjoy the ride.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that I have everything I need in you. Would you please help me learn to live out my new life in you and get used to all you have given and say about me? I want to live boldly through your grace today. In Jesus name Amen.
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