Different Makes It New

The auto show season is upon us. Car manufacturers all say the same thing. Look at all the changes we made in this existing product. It's "all-new." Well, not all of it. The name is the same.The engine still goes in front (for most vehicles still). I know... technicalities, right?

But life is a process and some changes are made intentionally by us and others, made sovereign by God. All to often, its the changes made by God that cause us to step back look with a squinted eye and titled eye saying, "I'm not sure I like what you've done here." (as if we knew what we were talking about.)

I have a dear missionary friend, who I wrote about losing his wife to M.S. It's been within the past two years, but some days it feels like it was just last summer and now I honestly can't remember exactly how long ago it was. But God quickly reminded me yesterday, that he is preparing to go back to the mission field this month (at least that's the plan). And this return will be incredibly different... because his partner in life is gone.

It's not a restart or a starting over, as we prayed yesterday; but it is starting afresh. He'll be doing the same ministry as before and probably to an even greater extent and reach because he won't have the concern of managing his wife's health on the forefront of his mind. And so this leg of the journey in his life, in his purpose and calling, is very much new. Because it's very different.

It's a new season. It's a new day. A fresh anointing is coming my way (as the worship song states)

My friend is not alone. Other missionaries, as they prep and plan for 2016 are doing the same, I'm sure. Changes in life. Changes in ministry and direction. Life happens to us all and it's gonna look different and the experiences will be such to cause us to notice, "I've never been here before."

And in these specific moments, God we need your help.

So, pray this #missionsFriday, for my friend and others, for the changes that have been made that cause the experience to be different and new. Pray the joy of the Lord will be their strength during the process. Pray the excitement sustains them as they move forward in their calling and purpose. Pray for divine appointments and open doors and the wisdom and discernment to manage the process. Pray they will not be defeated by discouragement that comes when thoughts of "what was" seem better by comparison.

May their trust in God be fortified as it is renewed, confident in the sovereignty of God and the truth of His word... behold, He makes all things new. He never changes, yet He is doing a new thing! May we not question "why", but "what" would you have us do here and "how" do we go about it.

For the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ. All things made new. In Him. By Him. Through Him. For Him.

- PNC

---