Dr. Dianne Coflin
Co-Pastor, River of Life Church
At the end of every Christmas season, I often start pondering what might transpire this year. I ask myself, “What new goals do I need to reach for? Was there a goal I need to hit the re-set button on from last year? What will I need to forget and move on to embrace this new year? I wonder, could this be the year that those prayers that have been long awaited might come to pass? I can’t say I always have all the answers immediately, but there is something exciting about the new possibilities, new direction, moving on in life with no regrets.
God was excited about new possibilities and big changes coming to His people when He began to speak through Isaiah to stir things up and cast a new vision. This was what He said: “Behold the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.” (Isa. 42:9)
You see, the Lord was forewarning His people to get them prepared. Have you asked the Lord about His heart towards you and thought about what He might want to do NEW in your life? He always has a plan and purpose and if you will ask, He will answer.
Then in (Isa. 43:19 AMP.) the Lord begins to show them HOW to prepare for the NEW things He wanted to bring about in their lives. This is what Isaiah declared: “Do not earnestly remember the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth. Do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it?”
When God wants to do something new, He always asks us to let go of the old. In this instruction, He asked them to NOT earnestly remember the former things. Change for our lives is not always easy to embrace; we often don’t like change. Thus, we try to hang on to the former ways of thinking and doing because they are comfortable.
God knew His people needed to be exhorted, even admonished to step into the NEW for their lives. They would need to forget the former things. Then He asks them to take time and perceive, to become fully aware of and recognize His direction, by giving Heed to it. In other words pay attention to, listen, take notice and follow.
When we are open to God’s Heart to embrace new things, He will help us and show us the way even if we don’t immediately understand His purpose. What new goal or direction may God lead you into this New Year? Remember, the ship can’t sail ‘till it raises the anchor! Food for thought! Please come join us 10:30 Sunday morning!
Dr. Dianne Coflin
Co-Pastor of River of Life Church.
410 Chapman Rd. East,
Lutz, FL 33549
(813) 949-9931
www.roltampa.org