A New Thing

A New Thing
Author: Jamie Huggins, Communications & Social Media Director
Seasons
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This year, something inside me wanted to go against every anti-change bone in my body and start making some adjustments to improve my overall health. I've taken a few small steps, albeit slowly, but I still have work to do. Trust me, if you knew how long it took me to make, then not reschedule something simple like a doctor's appointment, you'd begin to understand my relationship with change.

If you are picking up on the clues, it's evident I have a tough time embracing change. I'm even worse when it comes to the big things in my life. I'm slow to adapt and get overwhelmed easily. Trusting in God's timing is a constant struggle for me. I find myself discouraged by situations that seem impossible, dwelling on the unknowns and "what-ifs." I let fear and anxiety dictate my life instead of trusting in God's unique plan. Have I mentioned how I don't like change? 

– Isaiah 43:18-19

Isaiah 43 finds the Israelites far from home, halfway through the Babylonian Exile, with little hope of freedom. At the beginning of this chapter, God speaks through His prophet Isaiah to remind Israel that He is with them and successfully brought them out of Egypt's bondage.

However, in verse 18, we encounter something a bit unexpected: "Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old." Wait. Throughout the Old Testament, God calls on Israel to remember His mighty acts of provision. So why would He command them to forget those things now? To understand better, we need to keep reading.

Verse 19 states, "Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Here, God's intent is clear. He wanted Israel to let go of the past and focus on His plan for their future. God promised to do something new and seemingly impossible—something only He could do! He told His people He would carve a path for them through the wilderness and make rivers flow through the dry, barren desert lands.

– Isaiah 43:19a

God was bringing about something new, but could the Israelites see it? Were they willing to root themselves in His plans, or were their current circumstances weighing them down too much? What about us? Are we so resistant and fearful of change that we are blinded to the miraculous things God has in store?

Too many times, I am.

To navigate change well, we must have faith in the only One who doesn't change. Psalm 102:27 says, "But You are the same, and Your years will never end." Life is full of change, but God is constant. Jobs change, seasons change, situations change, and we change, but our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

God still wants to make a way through the wilderness and create rivers through the desert. He wants to do something new right now in each of our lives, but we need to trust Him. I need to trust Him. Instead of relying on ourselves, we must have faith in God's promises and eyes to see past our current fears and doubts to whatever path He opens.

Change can be challenging and scary sometimes, but let us take heart together: God is with us and is working to do "a new thing" in whatever season we are in, no matter how impossible or insurmountable it seems.