Can I Re-invent Myself?

Many people reach a point in life where their “old self” is not the person they want to be. Maybe they’re bored, or tired of being a cog in the wheel where they work, or they want to be a hammer and not a nail. They want to have a whole life re-invention.

Our Lord Jesus described the Christian life as a “new birth” (John 3:7). The apostle Paul described it as a “new creation” in which “old things are passed away” and “all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So what’s the difference between re-inventing myself and being born again?

The secular idea of “re-inventing self” usually means one or more of the following things:

• A significant career change
  
• A change in habits and patterns of life or thought
  
• A radical change in viewpoint, and moving outside the comfort zone
  
• A change in appearance, style, and relationships

When a person is born again through faith in Jesus, they lose the parts of their lives which God never intended for them to have. And the basic elements of their personality are energized and given new direction to things that are well-pleasing to God.

The Biblical idea of being “born again” means:

• The Spirit of God enlightens the mind to divine truth
  
• The love of God extends to those around you
  
• The graces of God give abilities that define your purpose in life
  
• The promise of eternal life puts life in this world into perspective

No career change necessary.