Monday, October 31, 2016

Verse for the Week: Isaiah 43:18-19; “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Topic: “New Day, New Way!”

When was the last time you were challenged to forget some aspect of the past—something predictable and familiar—in order to set your eyes on something new God is doing in your life?

Change can be unsettling. I don’t know about you, but change makes me crazy! I mean certifiably crazy. Like total cuckoo-bird crazy!

That said, drastic change is not only in my future…Hello…it’s right now!

Today is officially my first day of work after raising my kids for fifteen years. It’s definitely a “new day” as God is calling me to a “new way” of life.

I wish I could say I’m totally confident and ready to slay this challenge like a champ. But honestly, I’m kind of a hot mess of nerves and excitement all wrapped up in a pretty new suit.

How about you? Is God inviting you into a new life—a new way of “doing” your life?

A work-related change (like myself)?

A change in a relationship that keeps repeating a negative cycle in your life?

Change a habit or give up an addiction that continues to steal the essence of who you are, your time, and your resources?

Set and hold fast to a new budget in order to get out of debt and plan for the future God wants to give you?

Well…today is the day! Don’t wait any longer. Wave goodbye to the past and set your eyes on what God is doing up ahead. He has a good plan and is paving the way for a great future.

If the past tempts you to turn back to the old way of doing things, hang on to the hope of new beginnings. God has plans and dreams for you that far outweigh anything you can do on your own. Let this hope anchor your soul and steady your restless heart.

Whatever it may be that God is calling you to change, it can feel like a hard right turn causing your center of gravity to shift and knock you off balance. Your reaction might be to resist at all costs. But don’t! Learning to say “no” to those things that are trapping you in the past, frees you up to say “yes” to the new things God is doing in you, through you, and for you!

Prayer:

Father God, even though I can’t see exactly what you are doing and I don’t always understand why you are calling me to change, I choose to trust you. I choose to follow you into the unknown because you are making a good way for me and my family. Not my will, but Your will be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflect and Respond:

When the moment of decision comes knocking at your door this week, decide in advance what you will do. Don’t hold on to the past.  Release your grip long enough to see the winds of divine change blowing through your life. God is opening new doors for you. He is doing a new thing. It’s a new day and it’s time for a new way.

Remember, you are not alone. Be blessed this week as you open your eyes to an amazing change God wants to make in your life.

Dori