Have you ever been reading a book while relaxing back in a recliner chair or resting against your pillows in the bed? In doing so, people often experience this scenario: drift off to sleep – wake up to the SAME page – drift off to sleep – wake up to the SAME page – drift off to sleep – wake up to the SAME page. Again and again! Obviously, when we experience this repetition, we never get to the next chapter of the book; we never move forward as we rehash the last page over and over, in a dazed, half-conscious state.
Occasionally, we go through life similarly recalling hurtful events or remaining in dead situations day after day. It could be brooding over being rejected; a relationship that did not turn out the way we wanted; grief; staying stuck in an unsatisfactory job; continuing unnecessary contacts with toxic people; staying stuck in a location not meant for you; or not pursuing a dream. There can be a host of reasons, but the gist is that we never get to the next page or the next chapter in our lives because we keep looking at the last one rather than having the Godly confidence and faith to take positive steps in a new direction. There are seasons when the Lord wants to do a new thing for us. It may be a breakthrough, a shift, a restoration, or a change; however, none of it can be realized without our being in sync with the word of God and His will for us.
We must be spiritually awake and alert enough to receive God’s guidance and wisdom to turn a page and move on to the next chapter in our lives. The chapters will be unique for all of us and may include mystery, birth, death, romance, disappointment, success, adventure, dreams realized, and dreams lost but each chapter comprises our one-of-a-kind book – the story of our lives. Scripture speaks often of new things, just a few of them are:
Isaiah 43:18-19: Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Lamentations 3:22-24:: Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Romans 12:2: : And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Finally, if we have chosen the Lord Jesus as our personal savior, we will finish the last earthly chapter of our story. The book of life will be opened with our name in it and the story will never end as we receive our eternal heavenly reward.