by Elizabeth Haarberg

God Loves Doing Something New

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Church wasn’t exciting when I was young. I was usually bored with all things church and religion. This is what kept me from becoming a Christian for many years. I wanted, and still do want, to be where the action is.

What I didn’t know then is that God likes to create the action. He is action personified. He likes bringing the new and exciting things to us.

“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
Isaiah 43:19

God doesn’t change, but he is always fresh and never stale. We know He wants a relationship with us so He makes all things new.

“Behold, I am making all things new.”
Revelation 21:5

The fear of following God just for the ‘new’ things is present. Power-hungry and controlling people have been around since the beginning of the world. I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about the people who want more of God because of His nature, because He is so good, because they don’t want to go a day, or even a minute, without His presence.

The ‘new’ thing is a side effect of being in relationship with God. It comes because we reside with Him. It’s not something we have to seek or even ask for, although if things are getting stale I have asked God for something to change.

I grew up in the Bible Belt and we attended church because that is just what you do there. I did not enjoy going to church, but even then God was working. When we walk in the doors of the sanctuary, that is his domain. Whether we are aware or not, some seed or fragment will wedge itself into our soul just waiting to be watered and tended. As the seed grows into a garden, God is allowed to work His way through our souls and open our hearts to Him. He reveals His nature which contains the ‘new’ thing. God’s nature can’t be stale; it is always relevant.

“Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!”
Psalm 31:24

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado