&8220;From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we no longer know him that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new.&8221;

&045;&045; 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

I think lots of times NEWNESS scares people. When things are changed or rearranged or moved in our daily lives, it throws us off and causes us to readjust. Experiences that are different prove frightening because it means moving outside of zones of comfort in order that we might try something &8212; physically, emotionally, spiritually &8212; new. As creatures of habit, we like the way things are; we like the way things have evolved to the point that we can easily get caught in a rut in our personal lives, EVEN IN THE CHURCH. I think that this is why Paul&8217;s words in 2 Corinthians are such a wonderful challenge and reminder and promise for us all, the fact that through Christ &8212; in relationship with Christ &8212; we are all made/created into new people of faith. The old labels and routines of living in the past have been washed away, and we&8217;re offered different understandings of who we are to become as God&8217;s children … YOU AND I, NEW CREATIONS.

So, I join together with you in celebrating that newness in Christ. May it remind us all of who we are and the potential of who we can become.

Bryan Sisson is pastor at Morningstar United Methodist Church in Chelsea