The voice of God speaking through the prophet Isaiah: “I am about to do 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. The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert to give drink to my chosen people.” (Isaiah 43:19-20)
In the desert and wilderness places that we fear, God is making a new road with a clear fresh river to quench a traveler’s thirst. And the jackals & ostriches that would alarm us along that new way through unfamiliar territory: they are busy honoring God! Do not be afraid, God is doing a new thing!
What new thing has you feeling apprehensive? Pick up your pen, write it out in a prayer, and invite God to give you courage for the changes and perspective to trust that God is doing a new thing.
O Holy Construction Truck: you frustrate me — driving at 5 mph, narrowing the road to a single lane of traffic, backing up with that dog-calling beep! beep! beep! There is nothing elegant about your lumbering, nothing pleasant about your hot asphalt, nothing appreciated about how long it takes you to finish a project. You seriously test my patience! Please move. I’d rather speed along the grooves of this freshly-shaven highway than wait for it to be done, even though I know I’ll be glad when the new surface is completed. O Holy Construction Truck: I’m short on patience but clearly in need of perspective. Let me not be discouraged by the mess and the wait and the construction signs. Teach (and reteach) me to be hopeful and grateful for the new thing that is coming.