One of the adjustments that getting older often requires is the acquisition of dentures. It doesn’t sound like such a big deal, ‘hey, I have dentures now’. But you soon discover that having dentures changes your entire life, not just your mouth.
Obviously, every action your mouth does includes your teeth. But, when your teeth are strangers you feel like the comedian on a reality show! You have no idea how much stuff you do with your teeth until your teeth aren’t yours anymore!
Words that used to be so easily said now get tangled up and you find yourself searching for words that are more simply spoken. Food tastes different, smiling and laughing feel weird and you feel like your teeth are as big as a picket fence.
You’ve lived your entire life the way you were and suddenly, everything you do is different. Although, a couple of things you do actually makes sense; you buy glue that really sticks instead of paste that cleans!
Being a new Christian is a little like getting dentures. You have no idea how much Jesus has changed you until you find the Gospel being applied to every area of your life. Like with dentures, you find words that used to feel right no longer work in your mouth. The Holy Spirit shows you good words to say what you’ve always said using bad words.
In your heart, you know that asking Jesus into your life was the right decision; even though the learning curve can be really amazing! As with anything new, the first few months may require some lifestyle changes. God is faithful to provide direction through His Word, fellowship with other Christians and the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit directly into your heart.
You’ll find yourself making new friends; people who can encourage you because they’ve been where you are. Again, just like with dentures, the learning curve is real; be patient with yourself. Your life will forever be different now, but, it’s all good!
II Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!