I
use a devotional book based on the liturgical year, and the theme for the week
after Christmas is “All Things New.”
I’ve
been looking at those words for several days now, and if I’m honest, I have to
admit there are situations in my life and in the lives of those around me that make me wonder if God really does make all things new. Because sometimes,
the transformation is so incremental and the process seems to take so long--it feels like an eternity.
In
addition, those times when I'm sure I hear God whisper to me that he wants to make
all things new, I can be clinging to all things old. I mean nails dug in,
squeezing tight unwilling to release whatever it is in my clutches.
Here’s
a practical application of that point. The Bible I’ve read for several years is
so worn that from Genesis to Psalm 128, the pages are loose from the backing.
If I’m not careful, the Pentateuch, the historical writings, and part of the
poetic works can scatter when I lay the Bible down. The other problem is the
pages are so worn on the corners, they rip when I turn them. Even if I glue the
pages back in, the spine is broken, and the pages are too brittle.
I
don’t want to give this Bible up, just as I didn’t want to give up the one that
preceded it. But, Jerry wanted to give me a new Bible for Christmas, and I
think God wanted to as well.
I’m
clutching. There’s the verse marked in Isaiah 40 for a family member, and the
date in Philippians 3 when my mother died, and the verses God highlighted for
me in Joshua when I had cancer, and on and on. It feels comfortable and
familiar—a balm when days seem strange. But, those highlighted areas can
sometimes alter my ability to see the new thing God is saying.
And
I have to check myself on this—do I carry this old Bible as evidence of my
knowledge of the scripture to others instead of the scripture’s evidence in my life. Do
I? Am I letting nasty spiritual pride slip in?
I
sure hope not.
In
any event, I’m turning over a new leaf—literally. It’s time.
I
also hope that in other areas, in which I’m still holding on, that I can
release them to the Lord. I can veneer, and spray paint, and sand on a situation
making it appear a bit better on the outside, but God is the only one who can
make things new from the inside out. I pray God increases my faith to believe
him for this even when circumstances scream something else.
Join
me in carrying these words in your heart from Revelation 21: 5 into the New Year—“He who was
seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!”