A New Thing
Spring brings renewal.
We experience it every year as the days lengthen, the air warms, and songbirds return.
This year feels different. There seems to be a deeper sense of “new” in the atmosphere. I am hearing this from many directions and voices, and I want to take a moment to sit and ponder this together, with you, the reader.
What Does Renewal Look Like for You This Season?
What does renewal look like for you? What are you longing for to be “made new”?
Many use the verse, Isaiah 43:19, this time of year to define this deep desire.
Sometimes it is physical. A new energy for physical activity and health. Or a physical location, moving into a new home or state, or even country.
Often it is emotional or mental.
A new state of mind, and renewing of our mind, as Paul states in Romans 12:1-2. We can be static in a place of thinking, processing, and need something to help us think differently.
We have access to the mind of Christ. We are a new creation in Him, and now, just after Resurrection Day, hopefully we have a new revelation of what this means.
True Renewal Begins in the Spirit
But true renewal begins with the spiritual, I believe. We can apply our own strengths, habit training, and decisions to help renew us in many ways, but if we are not renewed in our spirit, will it last? Will it take hold? Will this renewal contain all God has for us?
Ephesians 1:3 has long been a mysterious verse for me. I love it so much and ponder it often. It states, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” (emphasis mine)
The Father has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing. When absolutes are used in Scripture I have learned to pay attention. This term “every” means just that… EVERY, all, collectively all things. This boggles my brain when I stop to think on this.
God has graciously given me access to all blessings that I need in a spiritual context. As a spirit being, living in a temporary dwelling, this is exciting to me! How might I access more of what God has already given me, is waiting for me to possess and use?
The Power of Pausing to Hear God’s Voice
As I ponder this more deeply, thinking with God on this and asking Him more about how to discern this text, I am aware of His longing to give me more.
What if renewal is just that? Pausing long enough to receive more?
I have tested this and it is true every time. When I pause, intentionally stop my thoughts and reorient to God, even for a minute, I am able to receive more. It may be more peace, insight, and ability to discern current circumstances. It may be an answer I have longed to receive for years, or even a giggle that helps me to rise above something irritating my soul.
He truly has already given us what we need. So, our posture is not to strive, but to
receive. Wow, this is becoming clearer to me even as I write these words.
What does that posture look like?
The Blueprint for Renewal: Surrender and Open Hands
It begins with submission or surrender.
Open hands can receive.
I have held onto much in my life. I wanted to have a good, healthy adult life and have worked hard at healing much in my life to be sure that as much as it depended on me, I could show up in a way that was healthy for those in my life, my husband, my children, friends, and now grandchild.
Holding onto things can be tiring, exhausting really. I have learned that as well. The grip is wearying, and when things are not going as desired, the grip can grow tighter out of desperation. It is when I learned this “upsidedownness” of kingdom living, that I began to walk in more freedom. Letting go is actually the answer to what I had been seeking.
By letting go, forgiving, and releasing, I can receive what I am truly desperate for. Peace. Joy. Love. Clarity. All these things are the spiritual blessings just waiting for me to lay hold of.
Once I emptied my hands of things I thought would serve me well, like control, self-sufficiency, and striving, my palms were free to open to the light, the healing, the everything that Father God has for me. This is the blueprint, the plan, that God has designed.
When we are able to see it, trust Him, and then surrender all the things we have held tightly, it is where freedom begins to be experienced.
God Is Always Doing a New Thing—Can You Perceive It?
He is always doing a new thing. Can you perceive it?
What spiritual blessings are you wanting to receive today? If you were to receive it right now, how might that change your day, your week, or your life?
When do you want to explore that?
Seeking Him first still applies. Remembering that helps when things feel “off”. Pause.
Take a breath. Sit with Him right now and have a conversation.
How to Begin Hearing God’s Voice More Clearly
If you are not sure how to do that, you can set up an Exploration call with me and I can help you orient to hearing God’s voice. John 10:27 says “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”