New Things

Isaiah 43

¹⁹ 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.

On Sunday we looked at how the “New Thing” from God came as the way we are able to come to him.  Not out of our actions, but from God’s actions.  Not out of who we are, but out of who God is.  God put things in proper order for us.  Restoring things to what they were supposed to be, but not in the way we expected or the way we had attempted.

But what else do we see around us that God is making new?  What else is a new opportunity for us?  What are we seeing in our neighbourhoods that gives us a new place to bring God’s grace?  How do we see new opportunities for the church to build God’s kingdom right here?  Where can we each see a new way to be part of God’s kingdom?

God is at work in the place where we each live, work, learn, play, worship, or any other part of life.  We can see in our congregation the opportunity that comes with a Serve project and find our place to take part, even if it is only for one of the days, or one of the meals.  We can see the places we work with and how there are ways we can join where God is at work.

When we look for something new in our world we can remember that for many in the world it is a new thing that people work to end divisions and build relationships.  It is a new thing that people are caring for others without thinking first of how it benefits them.  It is a new thing for many to see that the world can be a place where people try to end suffering.

God is at work and invites us to take part.  He has made a way for us to come to him and belong with him.  He makes a way for more than us, more than just a few.  Remember those words that will come in a few chapters.  Come to the waters… (Isaiah 55).  It is no longer just for the few.  Isaiah reminds us that that is also new.  It is a welcome to all who will come to the waters.

O God, source of love and compassion

in the suffering of all your children,

we offer our compassion also

for the hungry and the sick in body, mind, or heart;

the depressed and the lonely;

all living in fear and under stress;

all stricken in grief;

the unemployed and the rejected;

and those burning with hatred.

Strengthen us to work for their healing,

and inspire us to build with you

the kingdom of love

in which none will cause suffering to others

and all will be caring, loving children of yours,

our compassionate, all-embracing God,

ever present, ever loving,

never failing. Amen.