I am a creature of habit. For as long as I can remember, the rhythms of routine have been my heartbeat. Though as we celebrate Thanksgiving today with Christmas quickly approaching, it is quite clear there is nothing alike compared to previous years. 2020. The year where all order and predictability went out the window, not only as a nation, but for me, up close and personally. How about you? How does your world look differently compared to this time last year?
While there is much to mourn and grieve with the empty chairs around the table, bank accounts running dry, and masks making it so we can only see one another’s eyes… Our celebrations are going to look different. Very different. We never imagined we would be in this place so we cannot neglect to create space in our hearts and homes to feel the weight of this year’s reality.
Even still, I want to challenge you to think of change as an opportunity.
In the book of Isaiah in Chapter 43, we see the Lord speak his promises and faithfulness to not waver and be with us, even when we go through tough circumstances. Although, today I want to focus on the end of that chapter, starting in verse 19.
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
I don’t know about you, but when I read that verse, my stomach turns a bit. My palms started to sweat. My whole body tenses. New…That is a scary word. New means change. New also means unknown…Yet, God does not just end with that three letter word. From the “new” comes life. Promise. Expectation. Hope. Not just tied up in one day or moment, but ongoing. Bringing about a transformation producing even more fruit and favor.
So, as you celebrate Thanksgiving today and walk into the coming weeks preparing for Christmas, may you see the change from the normal as a positive thing. A fresh wind from the Lord. An opportunity to make memories. An opportunity to see things differently. To thank him for the simplest of things like walking, breathing and eating.. The chance to refocus and put God at the center. For He is the most important of everything… You see, our wrecked routines could be a good thing.
Mess 2 Masterpiece 