Embrace What Can Be, let go of what was

Isaiah 43:18-19

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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."

The prophet Isaiah conveys a profound message of hope and renewal, urging the people to release their attachments to former experiences and to embrace the transformative power of God’s work in their lives. The instruction to "forget the former things" serves as a pivotal reminder that dwelling on past hardships, failures, or disappointments can hinder one's ability to recognize and appreciate the present and the future that God is unfolding. This call to action encourages us to let go of our burdens and to open our hearts and minds to new possibilities.

As the text continues, the phrase "See, I am doing a new thing!" emphasizes the dynamic and ongoing nature of God's creative work. God is constantly at work, bringing forth renewal and change. Constantly look for signs of God's activity in your life, new opportunities and blessings may be emerging even in the most unlikely circumstances.

The challenge is, "do you not perceive it?" We can miss what God is doing in and around us if one we are preoccupied and not attuned to the present moment. This moment of introspection is crucial, as it calls for an awakening of the spirit to recognize the subtle and sometimes dramatic shifts that God is orchestrating.

He proclaims, "I am making a way in the wilderness". In others words, God is clearing a path for us to follow where at one time we saw no way through. If you have ever been lost in the wilderness, everything starts to look the same and you can become disoriented about which way to go. God is saying I am making a way for you...follow Me!

And just in case the wilderness metaphor does not resonate with you, here is a second, "steams in the wasteland". No matter how dry and desolate you situation may seem, God is saying, He will nourish you like a water in a wasteland.

Stop fixating on your past incapabilities, failures, set-backs, insecurities and today, now, embrace what will be! Get to work striving for you best self!