New and Improved

M

y most recent visit to the grocery store proved to be quite a learning experience.  As I pushed my cart up and down the aisles, several items caught my attention.  Every shelf, it seemed, was dotted with little tags indicating a bargain buy or a new item.  On one aisle, in particular, almost every item had one of these small tags attached to it.

At first I was overwhelmed.  It was almost impossible to distinguish which tag went with which item.  In no way, I thought, could these many items be on sale.  Upon closer inspection, I discovered I was right.  While some of the tags indicated discounted items and others indicated new items to the store, there were several tags that had a very different message.  These tags carried the slogan “New and Improved!” 

As I continued to shop, I noticed several of these tags were affixed to some of my favorite items.  I finally arrived at the aisle where the cereals and breakfast foods were stocked.  A broad smile spread across my face as I noticed that not only did my favorite cereal have a tag indicating it was on sale, but the box also indicated it had a “new and improved” taste.  I was so excited I could hardly contain myself.  Not only was my cereal discounted, it was new and improved.  What more could a guy ask for?

I quickly finished my shopping, checked out at the register, loaded my car, and went home.  All I could think about was that box of cereal and its new taste.  My taste buds were already exploding with anticipation and excitement as I considered what the “new and improved” taste would be.

After unloading my groceries and putting everything away, I grabbed box of cereal, poured myself a large bowl, doused it with milk, and took my first bite.  Something wasn’t quite right.  The cereal did taste “new” but I didn’t consider the taste to be “improved.”  A few more mouthfuls proved my point and I finished the bowl with much less enthusiasm than when I began.  “New and Improved” the tag had promised.  Well, it was new, that much I had to agree with but it was most definitely not improved.

Every day people from all walks of life experience the very same thing.  However, instead of shopping for groceries, they are shopping for meaning and substance in life.  Everywhere, the shelves of life are full of ideas, beliefs, and promises.  Some of these notions are new, some are discounted, and others claim to be new and improved.  All of them look appealing, all of them come wrapped in flashy packaging, and all of them claim to offer what we are looking for.

Most people are reluctant to try something totally new, but they will select ideas and beliefs that are labeled “New and Improved.”  This is true of Christians as well.  And therein lies the great danger for us. We become frustrated with our personal walk with God, believing that if we don’t feel anything spiritual, then our relationship with God is not what it should be.  In order to correct this, we begin looking at the latest trends in worship, the latest releases from our favorite authors, and the most inspiring music we can find.  We get excited about all of these things but soon realize they do not satisfactorily meet our needs.  They are new but are they improved?

We need to understand that we serve a God who cannot be “improved upon.”  He is perfect and His ways are perfect.  In Malachi 3:6a, the prophet records God’s words concerning Himself: “I am the Lord, I change not!”  There you have it.  

In a world that is constantly changing, constantly adrift in the sea of new ideas, new belief systems, and new solutions to life’s problems, isn’t it nice to know that we serve a God who doesn’t change.  His love for us is constant and all His promises remain eternally true.  No matter what changes come our way, He is the one mainstay of life, the one anchor that holds everything in place, and the one who always protects us no matter what. New and improved!  I think I’ll stick with the tried and tested!  How about you?