18 “Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
19 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.
20 The wild animals honor me,
the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland,
to give drink to my people, my chosen,
21 the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.
“That my people shall proclaim my praise!” Today I am hearing from many church leaders God’s doing a new thing and some are desperately wanting to know what is this new thing? We feel so divided?
Could the new thing be, the Cross that Jesus Christ hung on in agony for the sins of the world? The Kingdom of Light vs the Kingdom of darkness? Could the new thing be the teachings of Jesus in action. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34
Results to be, 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”… Would this not be proclaiming the praise of God?
Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right. Proverbs 20:11
thedailylily.com 
Sara, your thoughts/questions on the “new thing” are a lot to think on because I think they are new, and they are challenging us to view things differently.
Some thoughts I had. Since I work with plants as part of my vocation, I thought of a new bud, a new bloom, a new tomato…all part of an existing plant that may produce these things and go unnoticed. But when someone pays attention and observes and /or picks and eats the tomato, it is new to them.
So, your question: “Could the new thing be, the Cross that Jesus Christ hung on in agony for the sins of the world? The Kingdom of Light vs the Kingdom of darkness?”
I think yes. Perhaps, though the fact and truth of that Cross exists, it has gone unnoticed, unbelieved, until someone (s) is able to see and understand, believe and accept it? And, also, that someone(s) has to see, understand and believe that there is a Kingdom of Darkness and a Kingdom of Light.”
“Could the new thing be the teachings of Jesus in action. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34”
I would think, yes, particularly, if the old has been to talk about his teachings but not live them.
In keeping with Debi’s analogy of plant/tomato and cross we might see how it is not about somebody somewhere floating in space without being grounded. 1) plants spoke of are grounded and our feet are grounded. The thought I have going from tomato to cross is what does a cross do for me? Now a tomato delights my taste buds and might help satisfy my hungry.
Quoting from Debi’s comment, “I think yes. Perhaps, though the fact and truth of that Cross exists, it has gone unnoticed, unbelieved, until someone (s) is able to see and understand, believe and accept it? And, also, that someone(s) has to see, understand and believe that there is a Kingdom of Darkness and a Kingdom of Light.”
Now what? Someone somewhere has to see?
“We meet people where they are, doing what they like to do. Build authentic relationships with people first in order to build trust with them, most likely before they will ever want to be part of a church community with us.”
Recently doing yard work in my yard in NC and being in a big hurry as often I am I noticed a new neighbor coming to greet me. Fear of time and schedule starting playing a dirge tune in my head. See, it’s Autumn and plants are dying back and yard a mess and only a few hours to work and someone wants to greet me.
Have you ever heard, ugly is as ugly does? I recalled those words from my Mother.’s voice and gained my composure. The thought of busy being a distraction to steal my being in the moment joy I gave that dirge tune a cancellation and enjoyed moments of The Holy Spirit directing the choir in my head.
I got asked if I was a Christian? They prefaced their question with I heard you were a Christian, are you? WOW beautiful music to my ears.
Then I found out she was a “Master Gardener” in the state of NC. I stayed in the moment and now I enjoy the work and teaching skill from a masters’ hand. And, I thought God didn’t understand and surely didn’t have anyone around that understood gardening and certainly no one wanting to build a relationship built on The Rock of Christ Jesus!
Meet people where they are! The Cross may just become a part of your gardening cultivating tools.
“Results to be, 13:35 “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”… Would this not be proclaiming the praise of God?”
I think from your account with the Master Gardner, Sara, that love in action and God’s praise was proclaimed. Maybe love shows up clearer when it is not convenient to do a deed or action, but you do it anyway (like your example) and let God’s agenda have priority.
In reading through Matthew 13, Jesus was having His last supper with the disciples, shortly heading to the Cross. Yet, He showed love by taking time with them to do some really hands-on things…washing their feet and eating with them.
“…we might see how it is not about somebody somewhere floating in space without being grounded.” One of my thoughts is that if you are a hands-on person, like myself, than maybe part of being grounded is to use your hands and feet to do tangible things for others in order to show love.
Gardening, the cross that Jesus hung in agony for the world’s sins, teachings of Jesus in action, loving one another, do I have time to meet people where they are and be a part of showing God’s love by actions….. woe… a lot in this blog😱🙏
Yes Tammy, there is a lot in this blog. When we are digging a little deeper in His word there is an abundance of how to live a fulfilled life of joy, peace, hope, love and more. There comes knowledge of His power and desire to fill you with overflowing ability to act and live with returns faster than a slot machine when you hit the Jack pot.
So often we and our loved ones live in poverty of spirit and low spiritual IQ preventing us the return on the truth in the word.
We need daily encouragement that torches the torrents of untruths that says don’t listen to The Holy Spirit but listen to the one that gives the ego a trip that keeps us satisfied for a time before the pain of wrong takes control.
Think of this, all sin can be forgiven but the result of the sin often can’t be undone. The Cross that Jesus hung on and shed His blood for the sins of the world has assured us of forgiveness. But. How to fix the result of the sin may need more thought.