Featured Roseville Blog: New Year...New You?

The New Year brings with it new potential and new possibilities. Workout gyms are full of people with big intentions. Promises are made, character is examined and hopes are high that a new year might bring good changes. The reality is many of those big dreams and potentials seem to fall short. The "changes" seem short-lived and we settle back into what we knew. But does it need to be that way?

The problem with many of our efforts is that they are surfacey. What I mean is we focus on the outcomes, the externals but don't always consider what drives those things. There is a reason we act the way we do relationally with people. Our reactions to situations come from a deeper place than just what we see.

For true change and true potential to be realized we must move to the heart and transformation must take place at the roots of life. We must start with reflection -- which is essentially thinking deeper about the whys behind our "whats". We must be humble enough to realize what is there and what needs to change. And finally we must go to a source that has the power to actually bring change. As a pastor, I've seen the work that God can do in people's lives when they're willing to humbly seek Him out. I've watched as internal as well as external change takes place. The bottom line is there was an intention that God had for humanity, we've drifted far from that intention as a civilization, and yet God sent Jesus to set things right and provide the possibility for new life, new beginnings and a "new you".

At Grace Church Roseville we say, "come as you are..." which means anyone and everyone is welcome without cleaning up their act first. But we also say: "come as you are...but don't stay that way." We believe God meets us where we are and that we can become who we were intended to be. Consider yourself invited any Saturday (5pm) or Sunday (9am or 10:45am) to Grace Church Roseville -- maybe 2013 could be a very special year as God moves in and among us!