Encouragement

Allowing the New to Sprout

by Terry Barlow
11/28/18
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   The prophet Isaiah told Israel not to remember the former things but to behold the new thing that God was doing. (Isaiah 43, v.18-21)  God is still speaking that word today.  Why does the prophet say not to remember the former things?   It is to clear space in our minds for the new thing.  It is so our minds will be uncluttered by the old, even the good old sometimes,  and open to the new.  It is not only that our minds be filled with new thoughts from God but also with new ways of Godly thinking and perceiving.  All of this will help lead to a new attitude of expectancy both for us individually and personally as well as collectively.
  It takes a mind being renewed by the living word of God to be able to perceive the perfect will of God, as the Apostle Paul reveals through the Spirit in Romans 12 verse 2.  Don't be among those who will miss it, though it stare them right smack dab in the face!  The new thing will "sprout forth" and appear in some of the least likely and improbable ways and seemingly desolate places, that is, improbable according to our old way of thinking and perceiving.  We will be learning to live surprised.  For the young that may translate into more healthy excitement about the unfolding future,  but for the old into a deeper contentment than ever before for what already is.