New Things in the Wilderness - Devotion From Our State Director

For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
(Isaiah 43.19, NLT)

Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
(Isaiah 43.19, Msg)

Here we are in the wilderness. Six months of personal and society-wide disruption. Separation from loved ones; travel restrictions; impacts on home life, study and work; interruptions in our connection with God, Christian community and local community. A time of testing, uncertainty and loss.

Yet God is about to do something new. In your experience of wilderness, what’s the new thing God’s now doing with you? How are you being present and alert to what God’s up to? How are you stopping and noticing? What does God want you to see in your connection with Him; your sense of vocation; your family; your Christian community; your neighbourhood?

What’s the new thing God’s doing in your SU participation? Is there a new approach to connecting with kids and their community? A new way of sharing God’s love and Good News? How is he showing you to watch and pray? One of our SUFM teams, unlikely be able to run as usual this summer, are working together to plan four new ministry approaches. I love the missional imagination being demonstrated! I love the heart for prayer I’m seeing more and more.

God’s making a pathway through the wilderness. A way for us to follow Jesus in the midst of testing, uncertainty and loss. God is also creating a river in this dry space. The flow and consistent replenishment of his Spirit.

Do you see it? He’s already begun. It’s springing up.