Changing What Needs To Be Changed

Cosmetic surgery has become very popular lately. People go to cosmetic surgeons wanting to look younger, older, wiser.......or like their favorite movie stars. Sadly, they sometimes come out looking like an altogether different person!

We all like the idea of changing, of becoming something different than what we presently are.

Starting over again . . . .

Reinventing ourselves . . . .

Experiencing a new beginning . . .

Certainly, our culture is obsessed with change and self-improvement.

I heard about a woman named Shirley who was from Beverly Hills. One day, she had a heart attack and was taken to Cedars_Sinai Hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near-death experience. She saw God and asked, "Is this it? Is my life over?"

God said, "No, don't worry. You have another 40 years to live."

Shirley figured that since she had another 40 years, she might as well make the most of it. Upon her recovery, she decided to stay in the hospital and have collagen shots, cheek implants, a facelift and liposuction—the works! She then had someone dye her hair.

When she walked out of the lobby at Cedars_Sinai, however, an ambulance speeding up to the hospital killed her. She arrived in front of God and said, "I thought you said I had another 40 years?"

God replied, "Shirley! I'm so sorry, but I didn't RECOGNIZE YOU!"

Here’s the problem: We recognize the need for change, but we work on the wrong part. We want to change the outside when the problem that needs changed exists on the inside.

Plastic surgery and new hair styles and clothing might make us feel good for awhile, but it doesn’t last. So what we really need to do is figure out what needs fixed and fix that.

It’s not our hair that needs fixed, it’s our hearts. He Bible tells us, "The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9) Sounds bleak, doesn’t it?

New clothes, hair, makeup, jewelry, toys or surgery isn’t going to fix the heart. Only God can do that. And guess what? That’s exactly what He wants to do! Check out what the Bible says in Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you."

Here’s the best part.......God wants to do this for you and it won’t cost you a thing! All you need to do is ask.

Let me encourage you to do just that; ask God for a new heart. We’re drawing closer to Christmas - a time of giving gifts. God wants to give you a great gift as well. It’s the kind of change that every man, woman, boy and girl needs.......and it’s available to all!