DAILY DEVOTIONS

'A Promise of New Life'

St. Agnes

Likewise, no one pours new wine into old wineskins.

- Mark 2:22

"I just want a chance to start over." How many times have we uttered these words? But like the rich man in the gospel story who wants to "inherit eternal life" (Mark 10:17-22) but walks away from Jesus sad because he is unwilling to really change his life, we sometimes say we want change but are unwilling to do the changing. But that is exactly our call from Christ--to repent and change.

For once we truly meet Jesus, once we ask for and accept that relationship, our lives must and will change. We cannot accept the call to discipleship and remain bogged down in old destructive ways, trudging through life without meaning or hope. With Jesus comes the promise of new life as well as the responsibility of facing our weaknesses, sins and addictions in light of a new day.

Pour your new wine into my changing life, Lord.

- Steve Givens