Looking for Gods New Thing

Looking for God’s New Thing

It’s a new year.  If God wanted to do a new thing in you or around you this year, would you see it or would you miss it?  Isaiah 43:19 teaches us how to spot one of God’s new things. “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?  I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”

God’s new thing springs forth. “Spring forth” reminds me of a seed in a garden. The seed has been there for some time, embedded in the earth, hidden from sight.  Its growth has already begun, slowly and silently upward as the ground around it warms.  But suddenly it’s time – the tiny leaves burst into the sunlight as something fresh and new that can finally be seen.

Has God been germinating any new things deep inside your heart and mind?  Is it time for them to spring forth?

God’s new thing can happen anywhere, even in the most unlikely places. Notice where Isaiah says God’s new thing is springing forth.  Not in a sunny, warm, well-watered garden somewhere, but in the wilderness.

Take a moment, close your eyes, and picture yourself in a wilderness – not just any wilderness, but the driest kind of wilderness – a desert.  See the many shades of tan and brown, the windswept ripples of sand that turn into dune mountains stretching to the horizon.  Occasionally, the visual monotony is broken by a tough little shrub or cactus.  Feel the weight of the unobstructed sun pressing down on you like a huge, hot hand.  Almost immediately, realize your growing need for the thing that is most obviously missing here – water.

God’s new thing is exactly what you need.  It’s like water.  Not only a pool of water, but a lot of water, rivers in the desert – just what you need most, and more than enough.  A river is a running supply of water that creates green places wherever it goes.  Isaiah also compares it to a roadway – a path to follow to a place where God will provide things that are in short supply or missing entirely where you are now.  A roadway provides a way out of or a way through a hostile environment where you sense you were not designed to live for very long.

God is asking each of us an important question: Will you look for My new thing?

I can think of two ways to miss it.  First, we may allow our attention to be completely distracted by the desert.  We look at the desert, and we feel sure that there will never be any water there.  But our God can and will make it!  Second, we may find ourselves with our eyes fixed on the well-watered places of the past.  We let the past limit our expectations for the future.  Certainly, we should reflect on the past with gratitude and thank him for what He’s already done.  We know that He never changes.  But let’s not miss the new thing He is doing just because He hasn’t done it before.

Take a few moments right now in this first month of a new year, and ask God to make you aware of what new thing He is doing, both in you and around you.  It may be happening slowly. Like a seed germinating, the working of God is often silent & gradual, but it is also certain.  Be ready to spot a new thing springing forth, like a seed in the sun.  And when you see it – don’t miss your opportunity!

Barbara Linn

Barb has served alongside her husband Dave in various capacities since they began their full-time Christian service adventure in 1983. They are in their third term as the Northeastern District Superintendent couple. She has a deep commitment to the work of Alliance Women and serves as the National Secretary. She enjoys almost any athletic activity, running A/V, demolition, and solving annoying computer problems.

12 Responses to “Looking for God’s New Thing”

  1. Barb,
    Insightful word, especially during the winter months when God is doing His “secret” and unseen work in every tree, perrenial, seed and bulb there is.
    Wait for it and stick close to the path, doing the things that will make you ready in due time.. That’s what I hear you saying and I appreciate this. We can count on Him to come through!
    Thanks for a meaningful read. Hope you are well, my friend.

  2. Well said Barb! Thinking fear of crop failure could keep us from planting,watering, and waiting patiently. Maybe perfect love can cast out fear! So by focusing on God’s love we can move past that pesky fear!

  3. Good word, Barb. Thanks for sharing. I can see that new thing springing up, but that germination time is sometimes hard to wait out.

  4. Thank you, Barb, for this new year challenge to seek God for what new thing he will perform in and through me….physically, spiritually, emotionally ….praying for his wisdom and guidance as he works through me for his glory.

  5. Words of wisdom Barb. I can think of a 3rd way to miss that new thing. To give up on there ever being something new and to just close your eyes and give up. Not looking to the past or the future or even the present, you,re just stuck waiting for that new thing but without the hopeful expectation that it’s really there.

    • Good observation, Nancy. A 3rd way to miss God’s new thing – the desert overcomes you with its hopelessness.

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