Two Different People...Or Maybe Not!

I am sure that many of us are familiar with the passage from the New Testament that talks about those who are in Christ being new creations. The second part of the verse states that "the old has gone and the new has come". I had always thought that this was true for me. When I accepted Christ, I no longer was the party Jen. I no longer was the fun, random, outgoing person that I had always been. For me, I had transformed into this person who was uptight about rules and somewhat nerdy. Today I had a great conversation with someone. I discussed the thought process of mine behind my relationship with Christ. I was honest and said that I hated that I was two different people, and there were definitely times that I missed the "old Jen". What she said to me will forever change my thinking of being a new creation in Christ. Just because we become a Christian does not mean that we change completely who we are. We change our sinful behaviors, but we do not have to completely change our personality and who we are. I can still be the fun, outgoing Jen that I always was. I can still hang out with friends and go to parties, but I need to choose parties that are good. I am not saying that we willingly go to parties that we know are going to be bad, because then we are possibly sending a message to others that we approve of the behavior, but I am saying that we surround ourselves with other believers and remain true to who we are. Just a thought to ponder for the evening.