New.

Most of us like new things. Even the word itself - New - offers a sense of anticipation and excitement. That said, whenever something new comes along, changes typically come along for the ride. Ironically, most of us don't like change.

There's been several changes and new things added to my life since my last blog post. For starters, you're reading my new blog complete with a new layout; so, there's that.

I have a new co-host on the morning show which also means some new equipment in the studio and a new morning show experience for our listeners.

My wife and I just bought a new home, which has brought about all kinds of changes; here's just a few: the new yard to maintain; new living spaces to fit our existing stuff into; a few new items we've needed to purchase to make our new home relatively complete; new noises in the night for our pets and us to get used to and a couple of changes to get acquainted with on our new routes to work.

As truly grateful as I am for all these new blessing in my life, I have also been all too human at dealing with some of the (many) uncomfortable changes that have come along as a result.

New Blog = making the time to design a new layout, which has led to the decision to re-commit to blogging on a more consistent basis -- I mean, if I took the time to design a new blog, I might as well keep it up to date, right? Now I'll need to change some times within my weekly routine.

New Morning Show and New Co-Host = getting used to another person arriving to the studio as early as I do, another voice, another pair of hands and sharing the controls while trying to keep the inevitable mishaps to a minimum until we grow accustomed to the new format. This change is actually fun. Believe it or not, though, it actually requires a lot more focus and 'brain-work' than being solo, which is quite tiring and leaves us both a bit spent after the show. We'll get used to it sooner or later.

New Home =  contacting all of our creditors and changing all of our billing information which led to dealing with those creditors that did not (for whatever reason) change our billing information - that was fun; prioritizing a long list of tweaks and home renovations; reassuring our boys a bit too often that their lives indeed have not ended because we've moved across town... reassuring ourselves that our lives will, in fact, eventually settle down since we've moved across town.... You get the idea. Lot's of changes. Really, I could literally go on and on with the multitude of changes - but - I'll spare you.

Here's my point: Our lives are in constant flux. New is typically exciting, fun and anticipated. Change is typically frustrating, tiring and not fun. But, with change comes growth. And if your life is committed to following Christ, this growth is for our good.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. - Romans 8:28

I have a confession... despite all these wonderful new things, I've been a bit stressed with all the changes. I realize that God doesn't promise us never-ending comfort, but He does promise us a peace that surpasses our own understanding. And that is comforting, especially when we're tossing around in the chaos of change. And there's the rub - I've been guilty of focusing more on all the new shiny things, unwisely anticipating ooey-gooey comfort from them - which has also kept me focused more on all the uncomfortable changes surrounding all the new shiny things, which hasn't afforded me much time to focus on the heavenly things -- which means I haven't allowed myself to experience the peace that God has for me. That makes for a moody Lloyd. I don't know anyone who enjoys moody people. And between you and me, I prefer for people to enjoy when I'm around. -- just sayin'.

As fun and exciting as the recent new stuff in my life is at the moment - there's nothing comparable or more satisfying than the growth and peace eternally gained from being changed by the hands of God - being renewed, being made more Christ-like.

To be aware of that peace and to experience the pure joy of pursuing personal Godly change requires our constant focus that's humanly impossible to maintain without Jesus Christ. In Him, and only in Him, do we have hope, peace and grace - the essentials for successfully walking by faith and not being blinded by the shiny things that strongly compete for our attention. A new flat screen tv, even a new home is fun...nice even - but they fall way short of having an on-going and growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Sure, I like new stuff -- but -- to say I'm moody and not enjoyable to be around when I allow shiny new things to steal my focus away from my awareness of, and my pursuit of being renewed by the hands of God is truly an understatement. The only new things that matter is our minds, bodies and souls. In my book... New vs. Renewed? Renewed wins.

Can I get an Amen?