'Version"

If you could see the version,

Of the me I was back when,

You might not even know me,

I’ve changed so much since then.

Younger, with a head of hair,

Not a wrinkle on my face,

And as wild as e’er a cowboy comes,

And fast the only pace.

A fool about so many things,

That now don’t even count,

So long gone with craziness,

Can’t measure the amount.

But that was then and this is now,

This older version see,

Recreated by the Lord,

The man I’m s’posed to be.

And still I have a wild streak,

And still can be a fool,

Btu wild about the Savior,

And adventure as His tool.

Used to call the people back,

From the life that makes us sick.

And use the story of my life,

God’s grace through thin and thick.

To point them to the Spirit’s grace,

That makes a man brand new,

And by the power of the Spirit,

Show him what to do.

So from the past I lived and learned,

That by His blood I’m bought,

And where the Holy Spirit moves,

There’s no doubt I am caught,

By the One who knew me when,,

My crazy held me tight,

But grace came through to break those chains.

And lead me to the light.

Which version is the real me,

It’s important that we know,

Whether trapped by foolishness,

Or the Christian way to go.

And I will say this clearly,

The one I’m meant to be,

Is the one  who lives all out for Him,

And dies to self you see.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off the old self, which is being corrupted by its evil desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4: 22-24, NIV)

We all have the old, selfish version of ourselves competing with the new version. Paul recognizes that we must be intentional if we are to grow in Christ. We choose to die to our old selves, allow the Lord to renew our minds, and choose to “put on” the new self. That new identity is who we were created to be. It is the authentic spiritual identity God has given us. Choosing daily insures that we are cooperating with the changes God intends.

Lord, teach us to choose the new self, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Bill Anton, used by permission. Thanks, Bill, and God bless you.