“See, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth,
I tell you of them.”
What a powerful and hopeful promise the Israelites receive! And this promise transcends time, which is a promise to all of us today. God invites us to let go of whatever we keep clinging on. God invites us to believe that new things await each of us. God constantly tells us of the new things God is preparing for those who love God.
Are we paying attention to what God is telling us? God speaks through Scripture! God speaks through prayers! God speaks through infirmity! God speaks through silence! God speaks through the most unthinkable places, situations, and people! God speaks all the time, but our challenge is that we often are too distracted to listen.
I confess that I often get distracted by vain tasks, and I do not even notice until I make a hard stop, gather myself, and identify the missed opportunities, blessings, and glimpses of God’s new creation at work around me.
God is up to something new! Recently, Bishop Shelton shared a video with her recipe for discipleship. In short, she invites us to be creative in nurturing our current relationships and open and intentionally establish new ones. Last week, Bishop Shelton also met with the Heritage Clergy and encouraged us to see the upcoming conference year as if we were starting a new appointment. Yes, she invited us to embrace the new things God has in store for all our churches and communities.
Not only that, but she challenged us to be intentional and start a 100-day plan. She challenged us to develop this plan immediately to implement it in July. I now pass along the challenge. How would it look like for you as an individual to create a 100-day plan that you can implement in July? How would it look for your PPRC, Trustees, Nominations, Church Council, and your entire congregation to do the same? What if part of this plan is to truly pay attention to what God is telling us every day of our lives?
Almighty God, you constantly announce the new things you will create. Please help us listen, believe, and actively participate in your new creation. Amen.
