Lifting Hearts in Hope

I am about to do a new thing; 

now it springs forth, 

do you not perceive it?

(from Isaiah 43:16-21)

For over 10 years, Elaine and I attended a Congregational church during our annual Maine retreat. It seemed to be a lively church with about 100 in worship. Then the church went into a barren land. The pastor and 95% of the attenders left. Seeking meaningful worship, we attended a local Episcopal church. The music, liturgy, sermon, and Holy Communion revealed a live church. Through this church I was able to connect with a pastor I had lost contact with. 

As I look back on this journey, I can see God was doing a new thing. From the darkness of one church to light in another to reestablishing a good friendship.

When Isaiah spoke of God doing a new thing, it was based on what God had done.  God freed the Israelites from Egyptian slavery and led them through the wilderness to the Promised land.

God heard their cries, saw oppression, and responded with justice and compassion by meeting them in this darkest of places. 

I see this ancient story which inspired hope thousands of years ago inspiring today us in our dark times.

God's new thing inspires us to look hopefully beyond our present darkness by understanding our current reality as temporary.  

God's new thing is lifting our hearts into the light of hope.

Whatever physical, emotional, or spiritual darkness we may be experiencing, God is doing a new thing as the light of hope springs forth, even if we don't perceive it.

I believe with certainty; God is freeing us from dark places to a new places of life of hope.

Reflect on the times God has freed you from darkness to the light of hope, even when you didn't see it at the time.