Biblical confirmation to my favorite quote!

I have found out over the years, whenever you hear someone speak, oftentimes you get a glimpse into something that person is personally dealing with. That's why it's a topic on the tip of their tongue or what comes to mind. Let me give you an example that was public many years ago. Jimmy Swaggart. In the 80's, I remember listening to a TV broadcast by him and was struck by the message he was giving. It was very harsh, very little grace and was about the subject of sexual sin and it's consequences. It was but a short time later that his affair with a woman outside of marriage became public. I'm not condemning him over it. I'm just saying that after this all happened I remembered that TV broadcast and his message. He was speaking to himself.

I'm no different. If you know me well, such as my family does, when they hear me speak on anything they'll recognize it as something I have recently confessed or gone through. It seems as though some of the best council I have ever received was by listening to myself! There is humor in that but also some truth. So I want to share one of my favorite quotes and it will give you some insight into what I am working on personally. Here it is, "You cannot solve the significant problems in life from the same level of thinking in which you created them." Albert Einstein

What does that mean to you? Here is what it means to me. You have gotta make some changes! And boy don't we tend to resist that word. I have sensed being called to a "radical transformation" personally as of late. Being brutally honest with myself, I admit that there are some circumstances that I have created. And also being brutally honest, I admit that I have got to become someone totally different if I plan on making changes any time soon. Looking back to my youth I can see the error of my ways. I wanted the results without paying the price. But I'm at a different place now. I want to become a radically different person. And I'm ready to put forth a radical effort to see this through. So what about the biblical confirmation? Let me explain.

As I mentioned before, I really like this quote. And I like it probably because it makes so much sense. But let me tell you how I came to a knowledge of the supporting scripture. I have started a new routine of getting up early, staying off the internet and taking time to pray, read the bible and read some other good leadership material. Afterwards I go the gym and then go to work. One day last week, while on the treadmill, here is what popped into my mind;

"No one puts new wine into old wine skins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wine skins."

Mark 2:22

Wow! I never thought of it like that. When we want change in our life but are not willing to make the changes necessary then it's like trying to put new wine in an old wine skin. The new wine representing the changes, rewards, better marriages, job promotions etc that we are desiring. And the analogy of the "old wine skin" representing our old self. The self that created our mess or lack. Here is another great analogy. The person that either inherits a large sum of money or maybe wins the lottery. They experience a radical change in finances without the radical change in character to go with the new found wealth. Let me tell you something. That wine skin's going to burst and spill out all that new wine. How many times have we heard a story like that. The person actually being worse off than before their unexpected windfall.

So I appreciate the epiphany I received while on the treadmill. As much as I liked Einstein's quote, I have an even greater appreciation for it now. 

Thanks for the time,

Steve