A “new thing” for 2022?
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
Happy New Year!
The new year is a time for hope and optimism. Especially following tragedy, economic woes, or a pandemic, we look forward with hope, that the upcoming year will be better than the one just completed.
The new year is fresh—we haven’t yet had a lot of time to mess up!
In a new year, we have the opportunity to do better—to be better…kinder, forgiving, and more loving.
Perhaps we have the chance to repair a broken relationship, pay off a debt, and devote more time to our family.
Maybe we can forgive another or ourselves for a past mistake that we haven’t been able to let go of.
In a new year, we have a chance to do a new thing.
John the Baptist preached about a new thing…
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough roads smooth. And all the people will see God’s salvation.’” Luke 3:4-6
Sometimes the path may still seem crooked and hazardous or the new thing we want or hope to do seems impossible. But there is One who can make all things possible.
John the Baptist spoke of the coming Messiah and of the difficult things He would accomplish. John’s prophecy was fulfilled. Christ came and gifted us with salvation, for all those who believe.
But there is more…
In addition to our Savior, Christ the Lord, we are also given the Holy Spirit who is our guide.
“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:15-18
Jesus did not leave us alone, without guidance. He sent the Spirit of Truth to guide our path, to straighten the curves and ease our journey, and smooth the rough places.
We have someone to help us do the new thing, the hard challenges.
What new thing do you want to do in this New Year?
Will you pray with me?
Father, it is difficult to break a bad habit and substitute a good one. Sometimes it is hard to forgive. Sometimes I am afraid to take the next step forward in my journey with you. This new year is our opportunity to do a new thing! Please help us to do the new thing You would have us do in 2022.
Beautifully written. God is so amazing and cares for us in more ways than we can imagine. I am thankful He makes a way and is always with us.
Thank you, Jennifer. Yes! We have a BIG God and He has gifted us with amazing blessings. Wishing you a wonderful 2022 and praying for your ministry.
Thank you Katherine. My word for the year is “focus”- focus on God as my Source not a resource directing me to His best for me – not just the good and better I see. Happy New Year!
Focus! I need that, too, Marilyn. Praying that we all recognize God as our Source. Wishing you a wonderful 2022 and continued blessings in your ministry of service to our Lord.
Oh such an encouraging post Ms. Katherine. I join you in this prayer ma’am. “Lord, I invite You, I implore You, come do that new thing in me that will please You and bring the honor and glory You deserve from my life.” God’s blessings throughout the new year ma’am.
Thank you for your encouragement, my friend, and for sharing your beautiful prayer. Wishing you and all at the Cross-Dubya a wonderful 2022 and may God continue to bless your ministry of service and praise to Him.
This is just the prayer I needed to see. Thank you got posting. I have saved it, and I will pray it.
I agree, Dainie. J.D.’s prayer is just what I needed to start this new year. Thank you for stopping by my blog. Wishing you a safe, happy, healthy, and blessed 2022.
Katherine, I like flipping the calendar to a new year. It reminds of of Spring being just around the corner and that brings hope of new things and new growth. May you have a sincere hope, filled with plenty of grace in 2022.
I’m already looking forward to the coming of Spring, too, Ben. It’s my favorite time of year (except for allergies). Praying that we all will experience new growth in 2022 that we may better serve our Lord and Savior. May God bless you in your work for Him.
Such an encouraging post, Katherine. It seems we still have some of the same old challenges and hard things being brought into the new year. However, I take heart that my same Jesus who has been with me in the past will go with me into the days and year ahead. I am so grateful “He sent the Spirit of Truth to guide our path, to straighten the curves and ease our journey, and smooth the rough places.” Here’s to straighter curves, eased journeys and smoother places in 2022!!!
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Joanne. I pray we have smoother roads and straighter curves, too, although I recognize that those rough patches make us stronger in our faith. I’m so thankful our Father is with us on the journey. Wishing you an amazing 2022 and continued blessings in your ministry.
I’m so thankful we have the Holy Spirit to guide us in the New Year! May your new year be blessed with His help, guidance, and peace in all the paths you take, Katherine!
We are blessed that God’s perfect plan included the Holy Spirit, our Counselor and guide. Thank you, Kathy, for blessing me with your kindness and encouragement. Wishing you a wonderful 2022 and continued prayers for your ministry.
We can be so thankful that God makes everything new. He gives us chance after chance despite our sins and failures. His love never fails. Thanks for this refreshing new year post to remind us Who guides and lights our way. Blessings for the new year, Katherine!
Having personally benefitted over and over from our Father’s patience and tolerance with me, I am so grateful (as you point out) of God’s grace. Truly, His love never fails and His grace and mercy are granted even when we are unworthy. Praying God’s blessings for you in 2022, Barbara and family.
A fresh start in the new year? Yes! Thank you, Katherine, for your encouraging post! Blessings for a year filled with love, joy, and laughter!
Thank you, LuAnn. I’m so grateful for our Father’s saving grace and His willingness to grant us a fresh start in the new year (and anytime we need a new beginning). Wishing you joy and blessings in abundance in this new year!
This is my first (of 52) verses I’ve committed to memorize this year. Perfect timing and great way to begin a new year, Katherine.
That’s wonderful, Mary. You’ve inspired me! Wishing you a wonderful 2022 and continued blessings in your writing and ministry.
I love the scriptures you shared. So exciting to think that God is always looking to do something new in us. Thanks for the encouragement and challenge. Happy New Year to you!
It is wonderful and exciting to know that God is looking to do something new in us–it’s also kind of scary, because that means He is going to challenge us to get out of our comfort zone. I pray we can answer the calling. May God bless you in service to Him, Sarah.
Begin again. I love January because it feels like a fresh start filled with possibility and hope. I appreciate your prayers and your inspiring posts!
Happy New Year!
We recently had a little snow. Although, I am not fond of cold weather, I LOVE snow. Besides being beautiful, it covers everything with a layer of white, concealing all the flaws. It reminds me of Jesus washing us clean so that we are whiter than snow. That’s a fresh start for us–much like the renewal of life in Spring. I like your reminder that January gives us a fresh start. I hope your January is blessed!
Amen, Katherine. I love that prayer. May He lead us to do what He would have us do.
I will respond with an Amen, too, Nancy, as you pray, “May He lead us to do what He would have us do.” Thank you for sharing. I pray we respond to God’s calling and follow where He guides us. Wishing you continued blessings in your ministry of service to our Lord.
This was the verse that God gave me for 2020. What a year of new things unfolded that year! Thankfully God is with us in all the new things that happen, we just have to look for His hand.
You point out an essential aspect, Joanna, “We have to look for His hand.” Yes, He will guide us in obedience and service to Him, but that means we pray, watch, pray, listen, pray, follow through, pray, and start it all over again. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
This verse is always one of my favorites, but it’s especially perfect as we move into a new year. Your encouragement that we haven’t had much time to mess up yet made me smile. 🙂 Thanks for reminding us that we aren’t alone as we face new things — the Holy Spirit is right there with us every step of the way.
I was tongue-in-cheek when I mentioned that we haven’t had time to mess up…much…yet. Sometimes every day is a struggle for me to live fully by the Fruit of the Spirit. I’m so thankful the Holy Spirit is always there to help me through those rough spots. I’m grateful for your encouragement, Leigh, and for your hopeful and encouraging messages on your blog. Wishing you blessings in this New Year.
Oh my goodness. I REALLY needed this message.
Thank you so much.
I’m sooooo thankful God gave us the Holy Spirit. ❤️❤️❤️
Me, too, Melinda! We are so blessed that our Lord and Savior/Holy Spirit are with us every step of our journey. Wishing you a wonderful 2022 and continued blessings on your ministry of service to our Father.
Thank you for the reminder that God is always up to something new. This is a favorite verse of mine–so full of hope and promise!
Your response reminded me that our Father is eternal, thus in one sense He is ancient–having guided our ancestors since the beginning. Yet, as you wisely point out, our Father is eternal through the future as well. And through His Son, ALL things are made new–especially us, when we accept Jesus as our Savior and are cleansed from our sins. I hope your week is full of “hope and promise,” Annie.