This morning I am contemplating the new in the context of rest.
Simplicity
I’m sitting in our little garden room – which we call our Abiding Place and which was once a small cedar greenhouse – and contemplating what the year ahead might look like.
Why am I doing this?
I enjoy order. I like a simple plan. I want to hear what He would say to me, so I can simply focus on His plans for my life in the new season.
Resting in His Goodness
I don’t want to rush ahead. God has been so good to me. I want to honour Him with resting in His love, but I also want to step into His new.
I want to be ready. I want to use the gifts He has graciously given me. I want to do this in a timely way.
Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Walk, work, watch…
I know that The Message is a paraphrase version of God’s Word, but I do sense Jesus speaking through it.
Perhaps He is saying – step with Me into what you don’t yet understand and then start to watch Me more carefully in this new time.
To which I reply, please give me new vision, Lord. New eyes to see You. Please help me to understand.
The New and the Old
Lord, what old things will be redeemed or restored or revived in the new?
Please help us all to keep this transition simple…..to step out of old ways and into new joys with You.
If this prayer resonates with you, today….please join me in it. Or share your own understandings to bless us all.
The Bakery 