A New Thing

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19.

It was exactly seven months ago today that I wrote on these very verses. At that time I talked about changes that were coming at my job. Those changes did, in fact, come. They were exciting changes and they were expected. But there have been other changes that weren’t so expected. I ended up leaving that job, saying goodbye to people who have become very dear to me. Then I had one of those milestone birthdays, which was actually pretty anti-climactic because it came the day after my sister began her battle with stage four cancer. I sure didn’t see that change coming! Then I started a new job, one that I love at least as much as the old one but for very different reasons. I’m working a different schedule and trying hard to adjust to that schedule. So some of the changes are good and exciting, some bring tears and fears. But all are change.

Did God see any of those changes coming? Of course He did. He saw every one of them and knew every minute detail. I didn’t realize it at the time, but He prepared me for every one of those changes. I have to admit that in the past, I have read these verses with the idea that I will eventually like every change God brings my way. If by “eventually,” I mean when I get to heaven, then yes, I will. But on this side of heaven, there are some changes I’ll never like. Besides, I no longer think that’s what God is talking about here. If you read these verses in context, He reminds the Israelites about how He saved them at the Red Sea. Then the very next verse says to “forget the former things.” If they’re supposed to forget them, why did He just remind them of it? I don’t think God means to forget them, as in have no memory of them. I think this verse is saying to not live in the past. The Israelites were depending on what God had done in the past to prove they were still living in favor with God when, in fact, they were practicing idolatry and had fallen far from God. So God is basically saying to not rest on your laurels. Keep seeking Him.

Too often we view the past with rose colored glasses. We look back on pleasant times in our life and wish we were back there again. We forget that there were difficulties then, too. It wasn’t all fun and games. Besides, we’ve changed since then. If we were put back into that exact same situation, it would no longer be so pleasant because it would no longer be a good fit for the person God has made us to be today. God isn’t saying to not take pleasure in memories of that time. What He is saying is to spend the majority of our time being mentally present in the present.

This passage goes on to say that wild animals do a better job of honoring God than His own chosen people were doing at that time. Ouch! But the wild animals knew that when water was provided, it was God who did the providing. People, on the other hand, had stopped calling on God. You know, I wonder if that’s why God brings change into our lives sometimes. I think there are times when I need a little shaking up to remind me to hang onto something, and that Something needs to be God. Other times change just happens. But no matter the reason for change, or even if you’re living in one of those rare seasons where change doesn’t seem to be happening for you, remember to continue to seek God. Continue to honor Him and praise Him. Thank Him for every good and perfect gift He has sent your way. And know that the One thing that never changes is our unchangeable, loving, caring God.