~ God's Formations ~

[Lani]

Isaiah 43:14-21
14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
20 The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.
21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise.


The Lord says, “See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)




As I gazed out the airplane window, I saw enormous cotton-ball clouds swirling around me. One large arrangement resembled a heart. Beautiful, I mused. To my dismay the cloud began to break apart, chunks floated each direction to mingle and form different shapes, until the heart was completely gone.

If only things wouldn't change, I sighed. Then realization dawned. The clouds have to continue moving and changing to be used how and when God needs. They are still clouds. Their purpose remains the same. But they have to break out of the form they've been in to create shade for new areas or to bring refreshing rain to different dry ground.

Without movement, clouds would not serve their purpose. We could say the same of God's people. God calls us to be a part of certain formations at certain points in our lives but also calls us to change and travel to meet new opportunities at other times. We don't have to be afraid to break with the old; the new design God is working on may be even better. The same One who holds together and directs the clouds above our heads certainly will care for us. So we can serve wherever God's call takes us.



Prayer: Dear Father, help us not to fear the challenges life brings. Give us the courage to let go of the comfortable and familiar and step forward in faith. Amen.


Prayer Focus of Day: Those facing transition


Thought for the Day: In every change God can work for the good.


Story shared by: R. Greenawalt (AL)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/21/11

[ServeGod]

Thanks for sharing, found it inspirational
In every change, God has a purpose for us.
Love your sister in Christ.
ServeGod