I love a great makeover story. Do you? To see the “before” and “after” of a new haircut or wardrobe change or how people are able to take control of their health when they lose weight . . .

We love a good success story, don’t we? What strikes me most about any of these stories is the confidence people come away with. All too often, many of the subjects of shows have “let themselves go.” When they receive outside help, they realize that they are worth taking care of–that they matter.

Yes! Society shouts. This is it! If only you did this too, you will be happier, prettier, stronger, fitter! You will matter too! Get a new haircut! Buy the makeup! Join the gym! All your problems will be solved! You deserve your best life!

Hmmm . . .that sound . . .What is it? Are alarm bells are going off in your head too?

While I believe that many of these shows have the best of intentions and do make a difference in many people’s lives, we only have to look so far as the reunion episodes or the latest statistics to see that many of these makeovers fail to bring about lasting change. People revert back to their old habits. Hairstyles, wardrobes, or eating/fitness plans were too demanding to maintain.

The New Year ushers in with it a hope for a better year than the last. We love to start over, to know that we have a new beginning. January 1st is for many, including myself, an opportunity to begin again and leave the old, tumultuous year behind (2016 was filled with trials!). We tell ourselves that this, this, will be the year to do ___________.

Can I ask you something? Can we get really honest with ourselves? Right now, please dig deep, deep into your soul… how many times have you made this promise or resolution?

How many times have you failed and thrown in the towel because you gave up on yourself, telling yourself that you are not worth it and that you don’t matter anyway? But then January 1st rolls around and suddenly, maybe, there might be a glimmer of hope for you?

What if this year could be the year of The Great Makeover? What if I told you about Someone who could transform you into the best possible version of yourself that you could ever hope to be? What if I told you that He specializes in cases like ours, where we are worn out and frustrated by our failings and need someone to swoop in and take over?

Thank God, we have Jesus, who came for this very reason! We have an everlasting hope in Him. We have a fresh new start, every minute of every day. Unlike a camera crew or a stylist, who is here for a time and then leaves, Jesus is with us always and loves us deeply enough to do a great work in us: “May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (Ephesians 3:19, NLT).

Complete? Full of life and power! Sign me up!

Here’s the part where I tell you, “But wait! There’s more!” How do we access this magnificent power? How do we unlock the promises and gifts of Christ?

It is as God says in Isaiah 55:10-12: “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth…It is the same with my word. I send it out and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I sent it. You will live in joy and peace” ((NLT). This means we need to read the Word. God’s word has the power to transform us, from the inside out, for lasting change.

What would happen to our lives over the course of next year if we were to read His word and get to know Him, even just a few minutes each day, instead of putting our hope in the next haircut, new lipstick, or workout program? Transformation! Romans 5:2 promises this: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (NLT, emphasis added).

If we dare to reach higher, to invite Christ into us and every facet of our lives, we can rest while He works. Instead of drowning in our insecurities, we could be basking in the Son! If we accept Christ as our Savior, read the Word and discover the Truth, then we will be able to cast aside the lies we tell ourselves. We will be able to live loved and everything else will fall into place! Will we stumble? Of course! But God promises that His strength is made perfect in our weakness so we need only repent and continue on our way (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Join me in being transformed through Christ’s strength, in continuing to grow in new ways that we never could have thought possible, and in becoming the best possible version of ourselves so God may use us for His greater purposes.

(Want to see a great example of this kind of makeover? Read Christine’s makeover story here! No stylists involved!)

 

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Kristin LeComte is a 28 year old woman who lives in Derry, New Hampshire, with her husband of six years, David. Learning is a passion of hers, one that sparked pursuing an intimate relationship with Jesus to become all she can in Him. She looks forward to graduating in 2018 with her Master of Education and becoming a high school English teacher who helps others develop a love of learning. In her free time, she loves reading, writing, baking, working out, and playing with makeup. Read Kristin’s other posts here.

 

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