⁶So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord — ⁷for we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. ¹⁰For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil.

¹¹Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we try to persuade others; but we ourselves are well known to God, and I hope that we are also well known to your consciences. ¹²We are not commending ourselves to you again, but giving you an opportunity to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast in outward appearance and not in the heart. ¹³For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. ¹⁵And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.

¹⁶From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. ¹⁷So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
• As you pay attention to your breath, allow your wings to expand you, as a butterfly opens and closes its wings.
• Allow the breath to reach the tips of your fingertips.
• Feel the expanse of breath in your chest.
• Consider how you are in Christ today.
• Acknowledge the old that has passed away.
• Embrace the new that has been born.
• Is there part of you that needs to die to self?
• So that Christ can make you new today?
• Let go of what you can.  Christ will take it from you.
• Feel the new spots of color that brighten your wings.
• What new color do you see?
• Christ continues to create new things in you each day.  Thanks be to God!
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.