A New Thing by @emilylaney

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. – Isaiah 43:19

Happy (almost) new year Church 4 Chicks sisters! 2014 is drawing to a close, and it’s time to usher in a new year, a new season, a fresh start. Change can be a very good thing. It can also be a bit stretching and painful.

I find that the closing of a year is an excellent time to reflect. I find myself thinking back on the previous twelve months, remembering the good times and pondering the significance of the difficult moments. When I look back on the moments of difficulty I see tremendous growth. For example, this year I was given a three month assignment at work that seemed nearly impossible. But I knew that God had placed that assignment in my life for a season and for a purpose, so I dove in and did the best I could. It was exhausting and difficult, but I made it through, and four months later I’m still seeing the fruits of that season, and I’m still learning different ways God used the many moments of stress in my life.

There were many amazing moments of 2014 as well. I’ve recently been reflecting on the blessings of God. There are areas of my life that aren’t exactly what I thought they’d be at this age (I’m almost 30, gulp!). But even when we find ourselves in a place we didn’t expect, God is still working, and there is still so much going on behind the scenes we can’t even comprehend. 

It reminds me of Habakuk 1:5: “Look upon the nations watch, and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” We just have to sit back and watch, and act in obedience when God calls us to new things.

So in this new year, this new upcoming season, I’m going to take some time to sit, reflect, and ponder what God has done, and what He’s going to do. I’d encourage you to join me. Just as the closing of the year is a time to reflect, the coming of a new year is a time to refocus. 

I’m not really talking about new years resolutions, but spiritual renewal. It’s an amazing time to reflect on blessings and refocus our attention to the Lord. It’s an opportunity to list the amazing things God has done and pray that we’d be open to opportunities to do big things for Him in the coming year. And it’s an opportunity to remember the painful moments and look ahead towards opportunities for us to use those moments of growth to pour into others. Our stories, our personal experiences, God wants to use all of those to further His kingdom and His purposes.

God is doing a new thing! I’m praying we can discern and be aware of how He wants to use each of us in this new year.

Emily Laney is a social worker, educator, and justice seeker.  She has worked with vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad and loves to help startup nonprofits reach their goals.  She is a Passion City Church door holder and leads a team of abolitionists at Not for Sale Georgia.   She loves her husband Brent and their rescue pup Biscuit. Sunsets and Sushi make her happy.

You can connect with Emily on twitter @emilylaney or on her blog www.emilylaney.com