Newness

It is January 9, 2017.
It is raining.
Classes start again today.
I started my day by walking in the rain while listening to THE Tom Holladay talk about newness on the Drivetime Devotions app.  It was beautiful walking in the misting rain.  The droplets would hit my face and stick there.  By the end of my walk, I was covered in rain.  Shoutout to the parentals Jim and Lisa for the raincoat that works amazing! Morning walks are something I have begun to make a habit.  Something about being conscious before 8:00 is a challenge, but once I get out the door I am at peace.  The rain is calming, and the message of newness nourished my soul.  So if anyone saw a girl with bright pink shoes, and a black raincoat walking around Concordia Campus, it was me :)

Newness is both beautiful and scary.  It involves change, which most of the time is uncomfortable, but does breed good character and heart growth.  On a trip, this could mean a new destination, a new route, a new companion, a new question.  Whatever that may be, newness leads to a revival of the heart.  Last semester, was exhausting and overwhelming.  Most of the time, I was feeling helpless and confused as to what I needed to do both with my new job as an RA, and with balancing school work and the rest of life.

But this year!!! THIS year.  God is washing me with holy rain to cleanse me and reveal newness.  I have heard God's call to wonder with Him into newness.  I have heard His call to trust Him, lean on Him, shamelessly dance with Him.   This verse in Romans has really hit me, and I love it because it is so short and simple, but packed with an enormous amount of wisdom.

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

So simple, but something for wherever you are when you read this.  Know that the God who created you, not only loves you but wants to live life with you.  He has something new for you, but that may mean having to trust Him with something you hold onto tightly.  Giving up something that is putting a space between your relationship with Him.

I know I'm probs really late on the whole Simple Gospel album by United Pursuit, but goodness yall must give it a listen.  The songs are filled with truth and are really prayers we can declare each and every day.  I pray you all have a blessed day and I'll talk to you all soon!