New

Not being a big military person myself, I yet find that today (Memorial Day) is a day to remember both that topic I wrote about earlier in the month (death as a reminder to celebrate life) and today's prayer focus of "NEW."

Part of me thinks about and knows that God is about the business of giving us new life, life beyond the limitations of earthly existence. Yet, sometimes, that knowing is not enough. It can be difficult to see the hope on the other side of the transition from the past. This is especially true when we can't go back. The new then awaits our first steps on a journey of often an unknown future. Harder still when we are forced to embrace the new and face the memories and grief over things and people we have lost connection and access to.

I pray that we remember to see the new thing as divinely offered and inspired. After all, if we are stuck in stillness in our thinking and not moving forward toward what is possible, the new opportunities, then we might as well be dead to this world. Dead in that rather than being the followers of a holy mystery who trust God over ourselves to shape the narrow path of life, we instead wallow in the despair and speak words like "all hope is lost" or "how can we save our ____________ (nation, church, home, livelihood, etc.).

Isaiah 43:19 CEB

Look! I’m doing a new thing;
now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it?
I’m making a way in the desert,
paths in the wilderness.

If your desert moments and season are in view, now is a good time to pay attention to the decisions awaiting your action. I know some are facing financial challenges, physical capacity issues, a lack of inspiration, and other difficulties at work, church, or home. Yet, a new thing is happening, and I hope we each recognize it and receive the gifts that await us in the wilderness.