A New Thing

“Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing” (Isaiah 43:18b-19a, NIV)!

As human beings we sometimes have a tendency to dwell on the past, and often because of this tendency, we miss the beauty of a new thing God creates. A new thing happened in our family this last Saturday. My father married the second love of his life. His first love, my mother, passed away two years ago. If my family had stayed in the past unable to move on in life without Mama, we would have never been able to see the beauty in the new thing that happened in my father's life. We chose not to dwell on the past, but be a joyous part of his new love.

Is there anything in your past that you allow to hold you back from a new thing in your life? Why is it so hard to get rid of old feelings that keep you from experiencing the joy of a new moment? If you have asked Jesus Christ into your heart, you are “new” in Him. Old things are over. The old is not meant to define the new. If you allow the old to control your heart, you can never see the new thing He brings into your life.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life that brings new promise. By His sacrifice and love for you, He has made all your life new. To not dwell on the past and allow it to tarnish the new, you can't just believe “in” Him, you must believe Him and that what He promises is true. To be free from the pain of old feelings that still control your life, you must believe that He will do what He says. You can do all things through the strength that He gives (Philippians 4:13). He shall give you the strength to not dwell on what has been, but to focus on the new–if you choose to believe Him.

Find freedom to enjoy your new life in Him. Choose to believe that what He offers is greater than what you have allowed to control your heart. In release to His love, you find freedom from any pain the old has caused. When you believe Him, newness springs up, the old is gone, and you can perceive His loving truth instead of the pain of your past or circumstance. It is a promise that no matter what you face He brings life-giving streams of hope and promise to your life (Isaiah 43:20).

We are thankful for the life-giving streams of hope He has brought into the lives of my father and his new bride. I pray that each one of us continually perceives the beauty of His new in our lives!