A New Thing!

I am just now beginning to understand and recognize my tendencies to go a little overboard.  Ok, maybe I have realized it before.  I mean, those who know and love me have been trying to tell me this for years!  But I had no idea I could possibly do things any differently. I mean, this is just how I am... right? 

At our church, we often talk about taking our next steps toward Jesus. I love this concept. Each service or small group, we are asked to think about what is God saying to us, and what is our next step.  At first, my next step was just to attend church every week.  But each week, there seemed to be another step I was being led to take.  Join a small group, get baptized, attend classes.  I have grown so much over the past two years, living spiritually by this concept of next steps.  Sometimes, it felt like the next steps came so quickly, I was sprinting.  

One service when the pastor asked "What is God saying to you?" I heard "get your house in order."  Ok, God... but what does that mean... I know I am not the best house keeper, and I know we have maintenance that needs to be done, and I really should budget better. My files are a mess.  Not to mention my house really looks like an episode of hoarders with boxes in the window seat, and unable to open the guest room door without causing an avalanche of crafting supplies.  Do you know what you are asking me to do? Get your house in order.  

The task is huge!  I don't know where to begin. I let him know (like he didn't already know this!) that I felt overwhelmed by all the things I wanted and needed to do. It seems I create chaos every time I tried to do something about it. Take it one step at a time. Next steps!  Of course!  What if I started looking for my one next step with the house instead of how big the the mess is.    I asked God to help me!  Would he really help me with something as mundane as figuring out what to do today, clean bathrooms or clean out a cabinet? The answer was yes... if it was something I needed help with, He was willing and able to guide me.  

So I have been taking small next steps, to do what I was told to do... Get your house in order. I started out my making my bed every day.  I spent one day cleaning out the bathroom cabinets. Another day, throwing away boxes in the attic.  Each day, I have been adding good habits to my routine, and spending some time overcoming the chaos in my home.  I certainly am not doing this perfectly.  Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us, His mercy never ends. His mercy is new every morning.  I have clung to this verse, forgiving myself of the mistakes of the previous day.  He has already forgiven me... I am the one who keeps dragging my past mistakes around.  So I didn't do things perfectly... get over it, move on, and try again the next day to get it right.  

So yea, I am just now beginning to get it...  that I can do things differently, I can BE different.  Not in my own power, but in the power of the Holy Spirit, guiding and directing me.  Every time, something within myself or someone tries to tell me, "You've always been this way!" "You won't or can't change".... I hear this verse resonate in my spirit.  

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43:19

I tear up every time I say it... He is doing a NEW thing in me!  Yes, I can see it springing forth even now!