New Things

Well, point proven in my earlier blog--I am terrible with technology! Not only could I not download the photograph of my boys, the "beautiful words" I quoted, somehow never made it to the page! Trust me, they were wonderful and applicable! I clearly was born about 20 years too early to fully embrace the computer age!

Of course, part of the problem could be related to the fact that I feel half insane trying to get everyone back to school. What is it with this time of year? When I was younger (waaaaaay younger) I used to relish the start of school: buying those shiny new shoes and fresh new notebooks and crease free new books. Back in the dark ages, we actually didn't start school till mid september, so it really did feel a bit like fall, with that hint of cool, clear air and the promise of football games and fairs and new friendships. New beginnings. Fresh starts. Who wouldn't like that?

We serve a God of new beginnings! "And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also, He said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'" Rev. 21:5 He has promised a new heaven and a new earth. He has promised new resurrection bodies. He has promised new joy with no more tears or mourning or pain. And for all who come to Him in faith, He gives a new Spirit, a new heart, a new purpose, a new security, a new love. Who doesn't love new clothes, new books, new cars, new starts, new hopes, new dreams?

So while I may not like transitions, how thankful I am that my Lord is the Lord of new, resurrected life. He is right there in the midst of our struggles and strains and sorrows, transforming and bring new life out of that which seemed dead and gone. He brings new life to dead marriages, dead careers, dead energy, dead love.... If He conquered satan and death, what can't He conquer and resurrect? Now, sometimes the process can be mighty painful, but we've got to trust Him and look ahead to the newness He is bringing to those hard, dead areas of our lives. I once heard it said "God works best in a graveyard." Ain't that the truth?!

One of the most powerful moments in the movie, "Passion of the Christ," occurs when Jesus, bloody and battered nearly beyond recognition after enduring the horrific scourging by the soldiers, struggles to carry His cross through the streets of Jerusalem. The crowds surround Him, taunting and shouting, and as He passes His mother, He stumbles and falls. His heartbroken mother kneels in the dust beside Him, remembering the earlier times in His life when she could comfort and help Him when He fell. Now she is powerless to aid Him, but stunningly, He looks into her eyes, and tells her, "Mother, I am making all things new." And He struggles back to His feet, determined to march to that cross to die for all of us.

He could declare He was "making all things new" right at the most horrific, despicable, hopeless moment in all of history. Despite His unimaginable suffering--and suffering which He knew would grow and grow to infinite proportions--He could state without hesitation or doubt that even then He was making all things new. O thank You dear Lord Jesus for making ALL THINGS NEW! As we face the seeming dead ends of our lives, help us to remember that You are at work making a new way. When we feel hopeless and helpless, help us to look to You, the source of new dreams, new strength, new wisdom. And as we face the transitions in our lives, help us to move forward in faith and joy, knowing You will be there, whatever the change, transforming and renewing. To God be the glory.