A New Thing!

Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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 43:18-19

Well we are off into the new year of 2016 yayy!!!  I love the start of the new year because it represents new beginnings and a fresh start.  It's a time to set new goals and dream new dreams for the upcoming year.  A time to start anew.  I love anything that represents newness...ah it's just so refreshing.  Refreshing to know that regardless of how many times we may have fallen or failed, we have been blessed with another opportunity to get it right.  Another opportunity to reach those goals and dream those dreams.  Another opportunity to walk in purpose and live the life that God is calling us to live.

I love how God tells us in the above verse to not remember the former things nor consider the things of old.  In turn, He is saying forget about the past!  The past can be such a stumbling block.  We sit there and just dwell on past mistakes, failures and bad things that may have happened to us.  We relive them over and over in our minds.  Thinking about should've, could've, would've.  Asking why and how.  Dwelling on the past keeps us from living in the present and clouds our future.  God could be trying to show us great and marvelous things but we can't see because we are so focused on looking back.  It's time for us to stop allowing those things from the past to hold us back. 

The next part of the verse says behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it?  God is saying that He will do something new our in lives.  He is restorer and a redeemer. He can make all things new. When He asks shall you not know it, I believe God is asking us if we will even recognize that He's doing new things or are we too focused on what's been.  Are we too preoccupied with our past and current circumstances and situations to have the faith to believe that God can make all things new?  The rest of the verse says  I will make roads in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.  I believe God is saying that where there has been lack and barrenness He will turn it into abundance and fruitfulness.     

So, as we embark on our journeys in this new year, I encourage everyone to seek God for His direction.  Ask Him what it is that He wants you to do this upcoming year.  Whether it's following a dream that you've been putting off for years, working on your attitude, or letting go of things from the past.  God will work in our lives, but we also can't forget that we play a part in this thing too.  We have to be willing to be obedient and follow God's leading.  We can't expect to not put in any effort. Let's leave all of those old habits, mindsets, hurts and pains in the past and focus on the NEW things that God has in store for us!!

With Gallons of Love,

J.G.