New is Always Better (?)

NEW IS ALWAYS BETTER (?)

10th January 2020

NEWNESS.

There’s something about it isn’t there? It’s visceral. Pulsating. And there seems to be something within us longing to chase that shiny new thing. Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother seems to sum it up well: “new is always better”.

Whilst originally applied to suits and ties, this phrase seems to be the general mindset towards material possessions and ethereal pursuits. And it’s often our experience in relationships (mostly romantically, but this can also play out platonically).

That ‘new beginning’ phase. For lack of a better word, it’s sparkly. It’s attractive – addictive. For those of you who remember, or care to remember, that feeling of emotional, even physical discovery. The discovery of another human being.

Does this person like me?
Do I like this person?
Do they like the things I like?
Are we going to get along?
Is this going to be a waste of time?
Could this be the best decision of my life?

And the rollercoaster thrill of getting to know someone more intimately goes to work,
even in the most risk-averse of us.

Constant texting, late night rendezvous (to talk, obviously), waiting for the right time to hit reply, waiting for a reply, waiting for the next date to come around: this is pursuit of the ‘new’ in full flight.

But as the months progress, our senses begin to dull, and we begin to exhale. What was new is now familiar. Which is not inherently bad. Trust has been built; a path, a rut has been formed. And the daily choice has to be made: do we veer into this rut, this groove, or do we let ourselves grow disenchanted and discontented?

Like I said, there is nothing particularly wrong with this process. Dating is naturally like that. Products lose their gloss. And our eyes glaze over to the seduction of the next ‘thing’.

But if we don’t at least partially curb our craving for ‘new’, nothing will ever be good enough. We become reckless thrill seekers, never satisfied with where we are, with a mirage of an end destination that will never be realised.

But of course, we are not to necessarily settle for everything either. There has to be some kind of discernment, some strategy, some ambition in play.

I suppose what I’m really trying to stab at is contentment. Why is this so elusive? Now, it must be said that there is of course an elation that comes when we see the ‘new’ we were hoping for (Proverbs 13:12) or when an unexpected but pleasant surprise enters our lives. So ‘new’ is definitely not bad for us. But the constant chasing of the ‘new’ can leave us weary with the risk of never being satisfied.

This struggle to be contented without settling: a tension that is seemingly hard to manage.

The Apostle Paul sums this tension well within his letter to the Philippian church. On contentment Paul writes:

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” - Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)

No matter which state Paul found himself in, he chooses to content himself. But this doesn’t just apply to his mortal day-to-day. The ultimate choice for Paul is not to be wrapped up in what is necessarily ‘new’, it’s to wrap himself in who and what is eternal. That who was, is and will be.

But what about not settling?

Paul addresses this earlier in his letter:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Once again, the prize isn’t the ‘new’, although it involves it. The prize is Jesus and the pilgrimage and process of becoming more like Him (hint: this does not necessarily mean becoming more ‘churchy’). The prize is what is eternal which brings the ‘new’ along the way.

For the Christian, it all begins with Christ making us ‘new’. But the rest of our life really is renewal. A making ‘new’ of what already exists.

Renewal of our thinking.
Refining of our desires.
A re-turning of our position towards Him.
Reforming of our life’s outlook and posture.
Restoration of our spirits and souls.

And ultimately this renewal flows into the practicum of our lives, our souls contented yet geared up for the adventure ahead when we live in full view of Jesus, renewed as we continually look to Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Perhaps this year our catchphrase shouldn’t be “new year, new me”.
Perhaps our prayer should be “new year – Lord, please renew me”.
Perhaps this year might be the year the Lord makes you new.

And perhaps that prayer might change how you view your current scenario. That person. The spark of your love and affection. The spark of your life.

And maybe then we’ll find adventure in the renewal and rediscovery – along with the all the ‘new’ God has in store for you (Ephesians 3:20).

Happy 2020.

P.S. If you would like to start a step to renewal in Christ, but not sure how, perhaps this prayer would be a great way to start.

Jesus, please make me new.
Thank you that I can be new because of what You did on that cross.
Please help me to follow you.
Thank you that I am new.
Thank you that I am your child.
Thank you that I am saved.

In your name Jesus, amen.