Behold! God Makes All Things New! Even (or Especially) You and Me!
Writing & Photography by David K. Carpenter posted: " Introduction We all have moments in our lives when we burst into flames. Or drown. Or bury ourselves. Pick your metaphor for getting beaten down by this life, this painfully broken world. I hate to admit that I've been dealing with that myself late" Master's Canvas - Writing & Photography by David K. CarpenterRead on blog or Reader
We all have moments in our lives when we burst into flames. Or drown. Or bury ourselves. Pick your metaphor for getting beaten down by this life, this painfully broken world.
I hate to admit that I've been dealing with that myself lately. My consulting contract (and therefore my job) ended in early December, and I haven't found my next job yet. Not long after that, I fractured my wrist, and I'm still in a cast (and in pain) from that. I have gained back some of the weight I worked so hard to lose over the last few years, and I'm struggling to get it back off. It pains me to confess that I've had more than my share of moments recently where I have felt defeated.
But there's hope. Thank God, there's hope.
Over the last few days, I have experienced a phoenix moment, rising from the smoldering ashes. Coming up from the water, out of the grave.
In the tapestry of scripture, few promises are as profound and hope-inspiring as God's declaration in Revelation:
This promise stands as a testament to God's infinite creativity and His transformative power in our lives. It's not just about the grand cosmic renewal but also a deeply personal call to each of us. When He says this, there's no reason we should assume that we should be excluded from the list of all things that He is making new, is there?
Let's explore how God's creativity captures our attention and how His power is making us new, leading us away from our old, self-destructive ways.
God's Creativity: A Call to Attention
The Bible begins with a narrative of creation, a powerful display of God's creativity. From the vastness and agelessness of the universe to the intricate details of a flower that whithers in a few days, everything speaks of a Creator with an endless imagination. God's creativity is not a past event but a continuous, dynamic process. It's evident in the changing seasons, the diversity of life, and even in our daily experiences. This creativity is God's way of capturing our attention, drawing us to marvel at His works, and recognizing His presence and power in the world around us.
Yesterday I went to a botanic garden called Sunken Gardens near my new home. This experience was restorative to my soul. But anyway, since moving to Florida, I've seen several more varieties of palm trees than I knew existed (I thought a palm tree was a palm tree). However, at Sunken Gardens, I saw even more varieties of palm trees than I see each day walking through my neighborhood or driving around town. So, out of curiosity, I looked up how many varieties of palm trees exist, and I found that there are more than 2500 unique types of palm trees! We have a creative God, and I think He wants us to notice.
Personal Renewal: Becoming New Creations
So what? Well, if God will spend that much attention on variations of a single type of tree, imagine the effort He spends remaking you and me. More than just transforming the world, God is deeply committed to renewing us. As Paul reminds us through his second letter to the church at Corinth:
This personal renewal is an integral part of our spiritual journey. God's creative work in us involves reshaping our thoughts, desires, and actions, steering us away from self-destructive patterns. It's a process of being molded into the image of Christ, growing in love, grace, patience, and kindness.
The Excitement of Transformation
But let me back up a few days. My most recent phoenix moment began when I attended a 3-day "Time to Rise 2024" seminar given by Tony Robbins, a famous author and coach who is known for helping people transform their lives. By no means am I comparing him to God, but his message is similar to the idea that God will make you new if you let Him. Tony affirms that our old story does not need to be – indeed, should not be – our new story. Robbins shares one example after another where someone had been beaten down, but then, with encouragement and help, they rise above their miserable circumstances to reach heights they never thought possible. And he gives seminar participants the tools they need to achieve similar outcomes.
The whole seminar jarred me back into remembering that I can't control what happens in my life, but I can control how I respond to what happens to me. Further, Robbins also reinvigorated my mindset by saying, "What if God is challenging you to rise above what's happening to you?"
What if, indeed. What if God is making me (and you) into something new, someone who overcomes our current challenges?
In case I still wasn't getting the message, God drove home the point in the praise music at church this morning. All of the songs (Raise a Hallelujah, Same God (Oh God My God I Need You), O Praise the Name) spoke to trusting in God for victory. Grateful tears streamed down my face when we sang the lyrics:
I raise a hallelujah Heaven comes to fight for me
I'm gonna sing in the middle of the storm Louder and louder, you're gonna hear my praises roar Up from the ashes hope will arise Death is defeated, the King is alive
There is a profound excitement in this process of becoming new. It's not merely about self-improvement; it's a divine transformation. It's Jesus making us into overcomers, more like Him. As we let go of our old ways – our fears, our sins, our selfishness – we discover a life that is richer, more meaningful, and more aligned with God's purpose. This transformation is a journey filled with moments of revelation, growth, and, importantly, joy. It's about discovering our true identity as children of God, created in His image and called to a life that reflects His glory.
Embracing the Newness in Christ
Embracing this newness requires faith and surrender. It means trusting in God's plan for us, even when the path is uncertain and difficult. It's about allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, to renew our minds and hearts. In this journey, we find that our once self-destructive paths and negative self-talk are replaced with pathways of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17, NIV). This is the essence of living in the newness of life that God offers.
Conclusion: A Continuous Journey of Renewal
God's promise to make all things new is both an assurance of a future-perfected world and a present reality in our lives. As we journey with God, let's remain open to His creative work in us and through us. Let's celebrate the transformation He brings and eagerly anticipate the new things He is doing. Remember, in God's creative hands, we are being made new, day by day, into a masterpiece that reflects His love and glory.
By His grace, we rise from the ashes we created. Like being baptized anew, He pulls us up from the water that had overtaken us. Like Lazarus, He calls us out of the grave.
This is our time to respond to our kind and creative God, to step forward as bold new creations.
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