Taking on Fresh Wineskins

A few years ago, I found myself devastated by the collapse of a relationship that I had seen as the pinnacle of my identity. It had long been my source of affirmation and security, dramatically shaping the inner workings of my heart as a teenager. At the loss of my ex as my point of reference, I instead anchored my life in Jesus, and He completely transformed my worldview.

When I look back at wide-eyed teenage Sarah, I am resentful of how much she could not see. Even after all this time, I still sometimes see myself as that girl, recklessly hopeful and determined to take on a narrative that was not hers. I struggle to separate out the “then” from the “now,” and to believe that the Lord has actually changed my life. As I tread in new waters as a young adult, I am beginning to grapple with how much of my life I still live through the lens of sixteen-year-old Sarah.

Yet, Jesus says in today’s Gospel, "Rather, new wine must be poured into fresh wineskins" (Luke 5:38).

Sisters, the Lord’s will for our lives right now cannot be sustained if we continue to believe this season is no different from the one before it.

I am really starting to believe that the Lord has a lot to say about today, that my life is bearing worthwhile fruit now. I know that I have to release the past lens because when my process in prayer is limited by its scope, I miss out on the divine vitality stored in each present moment.

I am not called to take today and filter it through old seasons, but let the Lord set beginnings in my life. In today’s Gospel, I am reminded that not only is He capable of changing my seasons, but capable of redeeming my outlook.

I know that I have to release the past lens because when my process in prayer is limited by its scope, I miss out on the divine vitality stored in each present moment. // Sarah ElizabethClick to tweet

Jesus, I ask that we would be clarified by pouring into fresh wineskins, not letting past brokenness or wounds cloud the Father's brightness today. Renew our lenses with awareness and perspective so that we could receive fully and bear new fruit.

Sarah Elizabeth is a politics pre-law major at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Born and raised in Arizona, she finds great joy in mountains, lattes, American history, and the piano. She is constantly discovering Christ's wild love in the little things.