New II

[Here's an article for our church's newsletter...]

"Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things..." (Ps. 98:1 NIV)

“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” (Ps. 40:3 NIV)

October may seem like a strange time to be talking about new things in life, but maybe it's the best time. While a lot of people wait until January 1 to make their New Year's Resolutions or to start new things, I think this is also a good time of year to do some spiritual work. In theory, at least, we are well rested from our fun-in-the-sun this summer and returning to our "normal" activities with renewed energy and vigor. We've already seen the start of a new school year, new football and soccer seasons, and a new program year in the church. We continue to pray for God's wisdom and timing as we await the revelation and arrival of our new lead pastor. We are just beginning a new worship series focused around grace and healing.

And God's word continually challenges us to not just stay in the old and familiar:

This is what the LORD says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, "...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 desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:16, 18, 19 NIV)

Sometimes in the midst of living real life it's hard to see what new thing God may be doing. When we are unemployed - when we are divorcing - when we are lonely - when we are ill - when we are hurting - when we are fearful or worried - when we are concerned for someone - when we are walking through the valley of the shadow - it can be hard to see what God is doing. Yet, Isaiah reminds us of the times when God does something new or unexpected – like giving streams in the wasteland - to show his glory and power and to rescue his people.

Whatever we may be going through, God may be preparing to do - or already doing - something new.This new thing may be something we’ve never even considered or something that is an extreme challenge to us. In John 15 Jesus used the image of a gardener pruning the vine so it can produce more fruit. When God prunes us for greater fruitfulness – spiritually, emotionally, relationally, financially, etc. - it can be uncomfortable, even painful. But Jesus told us in a different story that we must continue to be renewed:

"No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins." (Mark 2:21-22 NIV)

Even though it’s “just October,” these scriptures lead us to some questions about God’s renewal in our individual lives and that of our church. What is the new thing(s) that God is calling us to? What is the new "song" God is calling us to sing? What is it about that song that will cause others to see and fear God and to put their trust in Him? Or, to put it another way, what is the "new wine" of our lives that God wants to create? And how is He preparing us to be new wineskins for that wine?

This is what God says, "Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? (Isa. 43 MSG) Let us be new wineskins for God’s new wine and sing a new song of praise!