Did you know there are more babies born in the month of
August than any other month of the year? Yep, it’s true.
I saw it in action at church Sunday when one of our leaders
asked the congregation who had a birthday this week. There were so many he said
he felt like he was singing “Happy Birthday” to the whole church.
Birthdays are like New Years and the first day of school to
me. They represent a new beginning. A fresh start, an opportunity to try new
and different things.
At a recent birthday party (yes, in August), I told the
birthday girl that she should try something new and different this year to
celebrate and embrace this new time.
I went on to tell her how when I turned fifty that I started
my Instagram account, and it acted as a catalysis for renewing my love of
photography. I also told her about taking
Karate when I turned forty. I never got very good at it, but I did break a
board which was exciting and seemed to impress my sons.
Now, my birthday is approaching, and I’m seeking the Lord on
what new and different activity or attitude I need to embrace for this new
year.
He reminded me that He is the God of new.
He is forever
creating.
In Isaiah 43:19, He tells Israel to watch that he is going
to do something new and different for them against their enemies. “See, I am
doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way
in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Where there was no road, He is going to build one. Where the
land was dry, He is going to provide water for His people.
He also tells us that when we accept Christ as Savior we
become a new creation the old has past the new has come.
How exciting! We become new, different filled with the Holy
Spirit led by God the Father. Where there was no relationship, now there is a
healthy, vibrant one.
God is definitely a God of new.
I challenge you today as the school year starts, take a
moment and think of God’s active creating in your life. What “new” has He
brought about for you this year, this month?
Then whisper the prayer “Create.”
bym