In With The New

“All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”

—John 2:19 NLT

The word “destroy” often carries a connotation widely perceived as negative. However, destruction of some kind is sometimes needed in our lives and sometimes even valuable. When we desire new seasons, phases, or eras to be ushered in, destruction of some sort is typically imminent. Growth is usually contingent on our ability to adapt to new phases as they arise in our lives and in our world. Many times, our adaptability goes hand in hand with our capacity to advance. For this reason, destroying old systems and ways of doing things is often a positive route one can take to building things that are effectual and new. 

In the verse above Jesus had spoken about destroying a temple and raising it again in three days. Metaphorically, he was referring to the destruction of our need to be evaluated by the Law of Moses, in exchange for the new system He would soon be ushering in. This new system would measure righteousness simply by the grace we receive through faith, instead of measuring righteousness through a person’s obedience to the Law. In a similar manner, many times, it’s easy to pinpoint the new systems we desire to abide in, while forgetting a very simple truth: embracing what is new also requires a letting go of things that are old.

Are there systems or habits that have served your past but stagnated your future? Hopefully, our abilities to implement new strategies in our lives are not hindered by things in our comfort zones. Hebrews 11:1 says faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Going from one year to another, one phase to another, or one realm to another, requires (sometimes blind) faith on many levels. The euphoria of expectation is beautiful but, as an indication of faith, let’s not be afraid to destroy or let go of what was, in preparation for what we are praying and working for.


Lots of Love, XO

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