This year? As we look at our resolutions, goals, to-do lists, and wonder what God is going to do in our lives, I just want you to know something, from deep in my heart. No matter what last year was like for you, no matter what the last five years or ten years or twenty years have been like, God makes everything new. Not just for her, or for them, or for me, but for you.
Maybe you’re struggling with jealousy as this new year kicks off, as you see announcements online of friends with new jobs, goals already achieved, dreams reached. And maybe you’re wondering why it’s not your turn, or if you should just give up on the dream that already seems to be done so well by so many other people. This year, I want you to know that we need you to keep chasing that dream. We need you to keep persevering, to share your story and your dream because our community and this online space? It’s richer because of you. What you offer to the world is uniquely YOU, and we need it.
Whatever you experienced last year? God will redeem.
Whatever you’re struggling with this year? God knows your heart.
Whatever parts of your dream you think are over? God will make them new.
This year, when you feel like giving up, giving in, moving on? Do the thing anyway. If God has given you a vision and a calling for your life, He will see it through to perfection. Even when we don’t think the journey looks anything like we planned. It’s not a promise that will only happen on the first day of a new year. If you woke up on January 1st and everything was the same? You didn’t miss it. God didn’t forget. In the midst of our ordinary, God is doing the extraordinary, and we never see the work of His hand until He knows we’re ready.
In Revelation, God says “Look! I am making everything new.” Did you catch it? The tense? He’s making. Action that is continuing. You haven’t missed it. He didn’t run out of “new” before it was your turn, even if you feel in your heart that you’re the last one in line. Friend? I promise. God is at work, even – and especially – when you can’t see it. He is making everything new.
I’d love to know how to pray for you today – what in your life do you want God to make new?
I’m linking up with Holley Gerth for her new “Coffee for your Heart” series. Hop on over and be encouraged!
Thank you for the wonderful encouragement Crystal – Needed to hear his after today. Blessings to you!
Love this encouragement and just what I need this year! I’m praying for a lot of “new” this year. New hopes and encouragement and beginnings. Thanks for sharing this!
Crystal,
This post is beautiful. I am so encouraged. I am so grateful that we have a God that makes things new, yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Thank you for the reminder.
“You haven’t missed it. He didn’t run out of ”new” before it was your turn…” LOVE this Crytal! It makes me think of the scene with Ebenezer Scrooge when he shouts and asks what day it was and realizes he didn’t miss it, it wasn’t too late to be what he might have been!
Thanks for the encouragement!!
Oh I love that reference!
Thank you Crystal. I’m struggling to get into a flow with all of my goals this year. I so wanted to link up, but my head is spinning. You truly encouraged me to continue chasing those dreams!
Chase on, girl!
I love this encouragement: “Do the thing anyway… In the midst of our ordinary, God is doing the extraordinary.” Thank you.
Deb Weaver
All of this “ordinary” is just the hard work to prepare for the “extraordinary” when God is ready to reveal it 🙂
I love that – In the midst of our ordinary, God is doing the extraordinary. Yes!
Thanks Fiona!
Thanks so much for linking up today with Coffee for Your Heart, friend! 🙂 XOXO
Thank YOU for opening your space to us to join you 🙂
Beautiful !!! Thank you for reminding me of a truth He has promised. A truth I have known (experienced) but a truth I have allowed the Father of Lies to Steal from me. I will bury it in my heart and I will walk through my day knowing, believing and trusting that He is at this very moment making ALL THINGS new.
Thank you Crystal for your willingness to be use by God in such a mighty way. Love your heart for this community !!
Ah, it was a message I needed to preach to myself yesterday. All things. Even the mundane, and the ordinary, and the things that look like failures. He makes all things new.
Oh man!!! This has me in tears this afternoon… He is MAKING all things new… it’s what I’m learning with my OneWord – WAIT – it doesn’t mean NEVER it just means WAIT – God used your words today… like an arrow shot straight and true! Love you!
Ooh girl…that’s a good word for the year. I was listening to the Inspired to Action podcast this morning (the one with Jen Stanbro) and Kat made the comment that there are times when God calls us to wait on diving into our dreams. But that doesn’t mean we have to stop working toward them, getting excellent at what will make us excellent when God finally says “go.” 🙂
God IS doing a new thing…it’s the promise I’m holding on to this year. And forever. 🙂 Thank you for the sweet encouragement, my friend. Beautiful. 🙂
He is doing some awesomeness in your life!
Beautiful post. Last year God finally revealed to me His extraordinary doings.
Oh I love that Leilani!
I am SO thankful He makes ALL Things new. All of us could use do-overs and clean slates at the beginning of a new year. It’s time for refreshing and God-given wisdom to become more of who He wants us to be. Beautiful words today, Crystal!
I could use those clean slates on January 1, on a typical Tuesday, pretty much any day that ends in “y” 😉
Oh how I struggled with jealousy last year…well all my life really. But God is showing me that He has a plan for me and is doesn’t have to look like His plan for someone else. So I am learning to celebrate that!!
I still struggle with this and I need to keep in mind that His plan for me doesn’t have to look like someone else’s.