A New Thing

In much of the Western world, New Year’s resolutions are popular. The  Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the term as, the promise to do something different in the new year. According to a recent New York Times-Smarter Living article, more than fifty percent of New Year’s resolutions fail and do not last beyond the end of January. Many of us start each year by making plans, promises or resolutions in attempts to improve ourselves that will not last. I contend that the only true path to improvement begins with turning our lives over to God, The Creator. Placing our belief, faith and trust in God is life changing. Renewing our commitment to God at the start of each year is a worthy aim. The Father wants to do something brand new in all of our lives. In 2022, I am determined to fully surrender my life and my will to Him and allow Him to do something new in it. 

The first word in Isaiah 43:19, behold, is not regularly used in modern conversation. It is a command calling you to see or observe a thing or person, especially one that is remarkable or impressive. Behold, calls us to cease all else, stop doing whatever we are doing and pay full attention. It appears in the Bible thousands of times. In this of hustle and bustle world that we live in, we are expected to multi-task and at times over function. Being singularly focused is neither expected nor rewarded. Therefore there is little time to “behold”.  I believe, God is calling us, commanding us to stop and to give our undivided attention to the new thing He is doing. In 2022, I will stop and behold the new thing The Father wants to do in me.

God is a God of the new-new beginnings, new creations, and new things. We are reminded in Revelation 21:5 that God is always doing something new. He wants His children to experience Him and the gift of salvation in fresh new ways. God is always working and if we pay attention, we can see Him at work. With the dawn of every day and each new year, God offers us the opportunity to increase our knowledge of Him, His truths and His good plan for our lives. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). As new creatures in Him, we are called to move forward with Him and embrace the new thing He is doing. I am determined to join The Father on this onward journey. In 2022, I am going to embrace the new thing God is doing. 

In Isaiah 43:18, we are reminded to forget the former things and not consider the things of old. To embrace the new thing God is doing, first, I must remember that I am not perfect. I must repent and accept His forgiveness. In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul wrote, that all have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23). Paul’s accurate and timeless words remind me that I am a recipient of God’s unmerited favor. This favor is the result of my being adopted by The Father through my acceptance of His Son. I am justified in Christ before The Father; as one justified by His grace, I have the privilege of being used by Him. My relationship with The Father can be vibrant as I live yielded to His good plan for my life. 

The new thing God is doing requires something new from me. In 2022, I am willing to boldly step into the unknown and join God on the journey ahead. I admit the unknown is a little frightening and may seem uncomfortable but I believe the words of Romans 8:31 and choose not to fear. I know God purposefully designed a good plan for my life before the beginning of time His plan for me will come to pass (Romans 8:28). I know that God is and has always been for me; I am called, justified, predestined and will be glorified with Him (Romans 8:30). When I abide in God, the Holy Spirit lives within me making it possible for me to live a completely yielded life (John 15). Knowing that God is doing something new in me, something that has never been done before is exciting and I will embrace the new thing God is doing. I am excited because I know the new thing God is doing will bring about new opportunities, challenges, and blessings. I believe the new thing will be unprecedented, incomprehensible, unfathomable. 

He Who placed the stars in the sky and knows each one by name has unimaginable things in store for me. I will give God the room to move in my life. I will give myself to God with an open heart and willing spirit. I know that The Father is clearing a path in the wilderness and creating rivers in deserts for me. I know that God will provide everything that is needed. I know that the new thing God has planned for me will happen like the springing forth of fresh blades of grass and the budding of fresh flowers. Just like to growing of grass and flowers, God’s new thing will happen gradually and silently. The new thing God is doing in my life will unfold and display His power and great love for me. In 2022, I am elated to join The Father in the new thing He is doing.