NEW.
It's such a small word, but so powerful. According to my iPhone, the definition of new is:
1 adj, not existing before; made, introduced, or discovered recently or now for the first time.
not previously used or owned
2 already existing but seen, experienced or acquired recently or now for the first time.
unfamiliar or strange to
inexperienced at or unaccustomed to doing
different from a previous one
It continues quite a bit further, but you get the point. It's the beginning of a new year, and I've been thinking a lot about the word NEW over the past two months. I think we often associate "new" with "good". At least I do. We like new things, new clothes, new toys, new books, new house, new car......but sometimes people associate "new" with "different" or a "change", and often as people we sometimes resist change. But God...when God does a NEW thing, it's beautiful. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new'. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness".
The words in my spirit recently are "new mercies", "new creation", "new thing". I am feeling thankful for these "NEW" things this New Year's Eve. The Bible says, in Ecclesiastes 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens;" In this season of my life, as I am about to turn 60 (sshhh!), it seems like I would be ready to wrapping up things, but rather I have such a strong sense of "something new", stirring in my spirit. I have chosen a word for 2025, and it's not NEW, but close... my word for 2025 is GROW. The last definition for the word NEW above says, "different from a previous one". My prayer is that each of us enter into 2025 determined to grow and become something new by 2026. Faith+Life Planners will be here growing alongside you, adding new products, and creating what you need to grow both in faith and in every area of your life. I can't wait to see what NEW things are ahead this year!
I pray God's most gracious blessings for you in the coming new year!
Love, Crystle
