Regeneration

Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

It's New Year's Day, a time for geek thoughts to turn to, what else, but the Doctor. More specifically, I'm thinking of that alien ability that has allowed him to save the earth for nearly fifty years despite otherwise fatal events: regeneration. Every so often our intrepid hero gives his life in the interest of saving the human race, but when the old body dies, it is replaced by a new one. The new Doctor retains all of his old memories, along with his strange fondness for humans, but he has a new face, new hair, a new voice, and new tastes, both in clothing (tweed jacket and red bowtie, really?) and in food (fish fingers and custard, anyone?). 

In many ways, the Doctor's regeneration reminds me of what Paul says in Romans 6 about becoming a Christian. When we commit our lives to following Jesus, our old self dies in that we change our attitudes and actions to reflect our births as new beings, focused on making choices that bring us into fellowship with God.

My wish for the new year is for regeneration – new and renewed commitments to take up our crosses and follow Jesus, and appreciation of being able to "walk in newness of life" every day we so choose.