The New

Imagine you get an email from a renowned philanthropist who has decided to give you whatever funds you need on a daily basis for the next 365 days. What would your heart posture be?

Do you remember the story of the Israelites in the wilderness? Every day, God provided them with manna from heaven and told them not to store it up for the next day.

Why? Because He wanted them to trust Him daily.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. Each day the people can go out and pick up as much food as they need for that day. I will test them in this to see whether or not they will follow my instructions.”

Exodus‬ ‭16‬:‭4‬ (NLT‬‬)

Imagine if they had clung to their old ways of doing things, hoarding food like they might have done in Egypt. They would have missed out on experiencing God’s miraculous provision in a new and powerful way.

As we approach the end of the year, this story speaks to us. Sometimes, we hold tightly to what feels familiar; old habits, thoughts, or fears. But God is always doing something new. He invites us to trust Him enough to let go and embrace the fresh things He’s pouring into our lives.

“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.”

Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭17‬ ‭(‭‭NLT‬‬)

Truly, if we want to experience God’s blessings, we need to make room for them. Holding on to old ways or mindsets can keep us from receiving the new things He has prepared for us.

So, as the year 2024 winds down, take a moment to reflect. What old “wineskins” are you holding onto? Maybe it’s a mindset that no longer serves purpose, a routine that feels empty, or even fears about what’s ahead.

God is calling you to release those things and open your hearts to the new.

“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)

I get comforted most times when I know that God is always working for me. Even when it feels like I don’t fully understand the changes around me, I move around daily with that sense of assurance that He is leading me to something better and He has my best interest at heart.

Letting go of the things we’re used to and getting used to the new isn’t always easy. Change can be uncomfortable, but God calls us to trust Him. Being flexible doesn’t mean losing ourselves; it means allowing Him to shape us into vessels ready to carry His purpose.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭(‭‭NLT‬‬)

As you prepare for a new year, open your hearts to the fresh things God is doing. Trust Him to pour new wine into your life and make you new wineskins to carry His blessings.

The best is yet to come, and God is leading the way. Are you ready to follow Him?

Shalom!