Remember early spring last year? The strange, new words that popped into our vocabularies: COVID 19, “pandemic”, “social distancing”. It is a snapshot in our global, national and families’ stories. Loss of important celebrations, community, life rhythms of work and school and for many – precious loved ones. How do we grieve – personally and collectively?

Isaiah 43 is such an anchor of truth for me. The beautiful opening verses console me, “Do not fear; I have redeemed you… I have summoned you by name.” Then referencing the surety of passing through rivers and fire (not if!) and his protection.

Although the last year caught many of us by surprise, it did not surprise our sovereign Lord. The verses above seem to jump off the page as an invitation to trust God even deeper with each day’s news and the dissolving familiar rhythms of life. Always the optimist, I am embracing the thought of following God into new directions. I can easily think of a few things I’m ready to forget and leave in the past. But what about the changes that are difficult to accept and release?

I am challenged to “forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” As I ponder the verses, I am tempted to bury the feelings and skip right over to look for the “new thing”. But the feelings keep bubbling up and my mind begins to wander on the puzzling reasons for all the changes. I know this pattern well. To not take notice and invite God into this grief would give access to a bitter root that quickly takes over.

Through conversations with God, I’ve accepted the changes and even see some benefits to the release of “former things”. But even more important, my hands are opening wider to the things God does have for me. I’m slowly wading into the “streams in the wasteland” and into new territory.

What are the old things you sense God is asking you to release? Are you inviting God into the feelings that are associated with the change?