New
“He has put a new song in my mouth – Praise to our God…”
Psalm 40:3
Christmas has crept back into it’s boxes. New Year bells no longer peal. Work and school and service again turn the wheels of our days. And what of our spirits? Do they sink, sulk, damper already? What a melancholy lot are we. The stroke of midnight rings full of vim and vigor. As followers of Christ our hearts set ablaze in anticipation of the plans He has for us in the upcoming year. Where will He lead us? How shall we serve? What’s His purpose for us in the next 12 months? It is nearly intoxicating, the expectancy and hope of it all. A fresh start. New beginning. Only one thing drops off faster than the lines of new attendees at the gym as January progresses… our attitudes. How quickly our chants of “Show me Your way ,” “I wait patiently for You,” “Lead me in Your paths…” and so on, fade.
This is a new year. God delights in doing new things. “Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah 43:19).” Newness. If you’re not big on change then, new may not seem so nice to you. But, the Lord loves doing new things, so expect the unexpected this year. Remember too, that when we cling and claw to hold onto something (whether it be to a job, a hurt, a relationship, a ministry, etc) past God’s timing, we clutter up or crowd out God’s new plans. And, new isn’t synonymous with perfection nor ease. “I will even make a road in the wilderness…” Some of us may be in the wilderness right now. Lost, wandering, searching but God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit promise to bring their crew even way out there to clear a new path for us. What about the desert? Perhaps we know exactly where we are, even where we’re going. Yet our skin scorches, our lips crack, our throats burn from thirst, and each step we take fills back in with sand the moment our heel lifts. We turn ’round to see no footprints. No tracks left behind. The blowing winds, shifting sands erased them all. Even there – in the parched places of our lives – Christ comes anew to supply us, to guide us for the months ahead.
A real new year promise for you, for me. One that’s truly worth taping to our mirrors, sticking on our car visors, saying out loud every morning…
“Behold I will make all things new…” – God
Really great post Melody.
My first reaction to the word “new” make me feel afraid. I don’t know why, it’s just my firs reaction. But when I sit and think about it, new is good, change is good, and following His leading is best.
I’ll pray for you this year, as you have so diligently prayed for me and my family.
Beautiful, my precious friend. I have to agree with my daughter-in-love above…I am sometimes, not very comfortable with “change”, sort of a creature of habit, but then again , when it is in Lord’s hands, we can trust and look with “anxious longing” to what He has for us.
Thank you so much.
We’ll talk soon..
Barb
Im amazed. Right now in my life, you know Im feeling down. I notice that you blogged again and couldnt wait to read. You are always so faithful to the lord. I know the truth, but I get frustrated and depressed when I dont see results or feel anything. Thank you so much for helping me.
Kathryn
Melody ~ your words always reach so deep. Amen to NEW! New makes me excited. Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. I’m so blessed by you.
“Christmas has crept back into its boxes…” I love it! This was a refreshing message for a middle-aged lady like me who feels ready to move forward…Lord, help me to hang onto the things I ought to keep, let go the things I ought to release, and the wisdom to know the difference.