A New Thing

Behold, I am doing a new thing;
    now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
    and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:19

Sharpen your pencils, class! With autumn’s heady scent of fresh starts hanging thick as morning fog, we find the perfect opportunity to jot down some dreams for fall. If you’re like me, you might enjoy watching a friend practice tricky problems on the chalkboard, showing her work. Here are a handful of prompts—and my personal responses—to serve as an example. Grab your journal and a hot drink, and prayerfully ponder along with me.

Which major roles shape your life during this season?

Mine include daughter of God, pastor’s wife, mama, homemaker, blogger, and keeper of myself (caring for my spiritual/physical/emotional/intellectual health).

Where do you especially sense the Lord longing to grow you? *

As keeper of myself. While autopilot has helped me survive many difficulties during the last three years, it’s time to shake off those dull shadows and build toward a life that flourishes. I think the Lord desires to take me deeper in authentic relationship with Him—not only for the sake of ministry fodder, but for my own soul’s vibrancy.

How might you make space for movement in this area?

Unflashy though it may be, I need to plan for intentional prayer throughout the day: waking up earlier, setting reminders on my phone, displaying prayers around the house, and processing emotions/events with God before bed.

What resources are available to support you in this endeavor?

I can use the journal I’ve already prepared, a favorite collection of guided prayers (McKelvey’s Every Moment Holy), my copy of the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlberg Calhoun, and the Reimagining Examen app. I also have access to a course on prayer cards, along with Val Marie’s ‘Developing a Fluency in Prayer’ class online.

How does the wealth of the gospel apply here?

By clinging to relevant promises from Scripture (Hebrews 4:16 and Romans 8:26 spring to mind), the alongsiding power of the Holy Spirit, loving community, and tools for my feeble heart, I can rest in the ultimate work of Christ even as I strive to see immediate improvement.

What might life look like once you have reached your goal?

When I’m personally connected to heaven throughout the day, an atmosphere of joyful dependence can replace the whiteknuckled desperation that has become much too familiar. I will no longer be functioning as an orphan—scrambling for love, fighting for significance, and constantly fearing abandonment—but will regularly experience (and thus become a conduit of) outrageous grace. Prayer will be a source of genuine pleasure rather than of shame-riddled obligation, creating depth and intimacy. And while I can’t expect to arrive at perfection this side of glory, I can celebrate every step of progress along the way.

How can you remind yourself of this so it doesn’t get lost in the everyday shuffle?

The word “with” sums up my hopes for growing this autumn: being with the Lord, staying aware of how He is with me. I’ll print it out on pretty paper to keep it visible and set a copy on my phone’s lock screen. Another beneficial strategy would be to add a few minutes to my weekly planning session to review how I’m doing and why it matters.

So there you have it. See? The process is hardly earth-shattering, but the results will make all the difference in the world. With a good notebook and a little time alone, you’d be amazed at what a fresh season can bring. Now it’s your turn: what new thing might the Lord be up to in your life?

* Should you find multiple areas in need of attention, welcome to the club. You’re normal. Don’t get overwhelmed at the amount of change you’d like to see. Pray about it and decide how much you can reasonably commit to over the next couple of months; then go from there. (And look at that opening verse again—God is the one promising to accomplish what we consider impossible. That’s some phenomenal news, people!) Get your hopes up and just start.