I turn my head to the East… I don’t see anybody by my side
I turn my head to the West… still nobody in sight
I turn my head to the North… swallow that pill that they call pride
The old me is dead and gone, but the new me will be alright
I’ve been travelin’ down this road too long
Just tryin’ to find my way back home
The old me is dead and gone, dead and gone…
These are the lyrics from a new hit song by T.I. and Justin Timberlake. Most of the song speaks of T.I.’s reform from the “gangsta” life – a good thing for him, but not applicable to me. However, the chorus of the song is surprisingly poignant and describes the personal growth I have experienced on the World Race. Sometimes the road has seemed lonely, but as I’ve learned to live in Christ and swallow my pride, I’ve found my way to my true home, Jesus Christ!
Courage. To become someone new, God has to give you the strength to walk out of what you were into what he wants you to become. I have learned I can’t do this on my own. It takes courage, and many times supernatural courage, to walk out our faith in Christ. Even when I do not see the end, or beginning, of what God is calling me from, or into, I have to have courage enough to step out. To trust God with the plans he has for me.
Pride. My overwhelming struggle in this life. The battle to get over myself and know that God is bigger and knows more than I thought He did pre-race. Pride tells me that I don’t have to serve others that I think are lower than me. It tells me that I’m too good to love those that aren’t on the same “level” as me. What a battle it is for me. I’ve had to become less so that He can become more. One thing I’ve learned is that when I choose to become less, God always does more and he always gets the glory.
Dead. The old me is dead and gone. Gone is the old me that had to live with certain “things.” Gone is the old me that was concerned with being always comfortable. Gone is the old me that thought I had the power to fix my life. Gone is the old me that resisted the plans God had for me. Gone are my old ears that did not listen to the Holy Spirit. Gone is my old heart that was too hard and did not let people in. Gone are my old eyes who saw this world as all there is. Gone are my old feet that walked the same paths everyday with little joy.
Alive. He lives! He lives! The new me is alive in Christ. My heart is alive with the fresh anointing and love of Jesus. My joyful feet bring good news to anyone who will hear it. My eyes are fixed on Jesus. My heart longs for more of Him and for my heavenly home. My ever-listening ears are waiting to hear the still, small voice of my Savior. My heart accepts the love God wants to give me.
(I like rap music and the music of both of these artists, but I am not endorsing either artist as Christian role models)
