Redeemed

Russell is in seventh heaven.  His feet have been redeemed.  They are like new, smooth as a baby’s tiny feet.  He had gotten use to the thick skin, jagged nails and callouses. In his mind, he was able to take care of it himself using a clipper and file.  Recently, he upgraded to the electronic callus remover.  Russ had tolerated the pain and discomfort.  Yesterday, he relented and sat in the massage chair for his first pedicure.  He was complemented on how well his feet looked for a man, but there was still work to do. Putting his feet in the care of the pedicurist, the callus faded away, the nails were filed down, and the cuticles were cut down.  Moisture was applied using soaks, warm towels and creams followed by massaging to increase circulation and relieve stress.  Go ahead, book your pedicure now.  Russ did not realize the pain and stress he had been living with until his feet had been redeemed from the dead, dry skin.  His feet were made new. 

Ephesians 4:17-24

¹⁷ This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of^[a] the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,¹⁸ having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; ¹⁹ who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

²⁰ But you have not so learned Christ, ²¹ if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: ²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

We are guilty of living like the world that we no longer realize our mind has been deadened to sin and corruption.  Our self-righteousness can lull us into believing we are not as bad as others and certainly better than we use to be. Yes, we try to change using self-help books; study groups and promises to God we never keep.  Why not put ourselves in the care of the God who can remove the old man, the course conduct and the lust that so easily overtakes us.  How awesome to watch it fall away before our eyes.  He has redeemed us, giving us a new mind, infused by the Holy Spirit. Allow God to reinvigorate, revive and restore your joy.  Russ has been raving about his new feet.  Take a cue from Russ; tell someone about the new you.