“I Make All Things New”

Today is a beautiful day… a glimpse of early spring. The sun is out, not a cloud in the sky, 50 degrees ….. invigorating. The mothers have their babies out, enjoying some good conversation as they keep an eye on the little ones.

I’m struck by a couple of my grandchildren…both just over one year old; they are now walking and taking it all in. For them, all things are new. This is their first real springtime. They can push the little stroller, kick the ball, walk in the grass, feel the sun on their cheeks, wave to everyone…everything is new. They have a look of wonder and delight…I can hear them think, ”wow, this is pretty neat, I’m really enjoying this, everything is new…”.

There is a wonder in experiencing new things. I recall my first trip to a major league baseball stadium as a young boy… the green grass, the white lines, the colorful billboards….. it was so beautiful. My first trip to the ocean…wow, incredible. When I first saw real mountains in Colorado….I was mesmerized. Often you’re unable to express the wonder in words. Usually I say Wow…. “an exclamation of surprise, wonder, excitement”. 

What is it about things that are new ? Is new better than old? Hmmmm. I like many things that are old…are familiar. An old friend recently visited and it took almost no time to “pick up where we left off”. I can renew old friendships in a matter of minutes. Old wine is generally the best wine. Yet, new is good…exciting, often better…our 2019 Honda CRV is a lot nicer than the old ’53 Ford we had growing up. 

God says some important things about new things. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Cor. 5:17) We are new creations…a good thing. “Behold, I am doing a new thing;  now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”(Is 43:19)  Wow, it looks like NEW is good. 

This BLOG is getting a bit complicated. Let’s see if we can figure this out. In my mind, it seems like good and better are helpful words. We have experienced many good things ….. good relationships, good blessings of country and family and church. Yet, I love it when all of these good things get better…when they are renewed… when they are new…. when God does a new thing. C.S. Lewis described heaven as a place where every new day is better that the previous one. I like that thought.

So, let’s allow the Lord to surprise us with NEW things every day. Let’s allow him to make us new creations, where the old creation that has been stained with sin is transformed. It will be good. God wants to see the look on our face of delight as he does new things in us, as he shows us the new things of God……just like our grandchildren discovering the beautiful things of God in their first springtime. 

It’s time to end this BLOG. I’m going outside and look around at the new things of God … look up at the sky, at the clouds, feel the sun on my face. I think I might even go kick a ball with my grandchildren.This is very exciting. God is making all things new.