All Things New

Series: April Showers

Isaiah 43:19

As i write this I am sitting outside on a cool Spring day. There is a breeze and there’s not a cloud in the sky.

It’s a perfect day to sit outside. In the distance, I can see several construction crews working on developing a new housing edition. A forest of trees gave their lives for this new addition. I don’t know a lot about construction, but I wish they could just take out a few trees for each house and leave the rest standing. I realize they would have to make room for a road.

I am reminded that many decades ago when I was born, they didn’t have this kind of capability. I’m marvel at how quickly they can clear a plot of land. To me, it’s an incredible miracle.

Isaiah 43:19 tells us, “Behold i am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

From a theological perspective, I am reminded God can do any new thing.

God is capable.

The question that comes to my mind is do we really perceive that all of this is capable because of God?

I fully realize there are many perspectives related to that question. In seminary we would discuss all the possibilities. At the time. I thought that was a little monotonous, but I was wrong.

While each generation sees a new thing, they usually accept it as progress. When I was young, I accepted change but now I know there’s a cost for every decision we make. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. It just means it’s a thing.

The truth is, I am constantly amazed by this God we serve. When changes come into our lives, we struggle. As welcome as changes can be, it’s still new.

I struggled when I retired because it was a new thing. I missed getting up early and going to work. I missed seeing my friends.

While retiring was a good thing (a very good thing) the change of pace and the isolation of not being with my friends brought sadness.

For the first time in many years, I had the freedom to write and draw and pray all day long. It was what I had dreamed of doing when I retired, but when that day came, I suddenly knew the friends I had known for at least 20 years were no longer be part of my daily life. Once I retired I did my errands during the day and stayed “in” at night.

Today as i watch the metal arms sift the dirt from the tree debris, I am reminded that God does the same thing for us. As we face new things in our lives, God continuously reminds and helps us to sift through the debris in our lives so we can let go of the parts we no longer need.

It is God who brings a new thing.

It is God who helps us let go of that which we no longer need.

It is God who helps us to understand the reason and the possibilities for the new.

It is God who opens new doors.

Hopefully we perceive what God has done and we are grateful.

Be grateful today.

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com