19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. 20 The wild animals will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches; for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, 21 the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise.
-Isaiah 43:19-21
Several weeks ago in worship, the kiddos of Wesley and I planted little seeds in cups of potting soil as part of the children’s sermon. Marigold seeds in some, green bean seeds in others. We were talking about the daily care of our spirits, even as we focused on the daily care of those seeds. This week, one of our Wesley parents sent me this photo of the rich and full plant that sprouted up from that children’s sermon. (Thank you, Borda family!) New life, sprouting up in the children’s sermon.
A couple of weeks ago, my kiddos and I planted five single seeds in five little cups of potting soil and placed them on their bedroom window sills. A little at-home science experiment to see which seeds sprout more quickly and which ones sprout more slowly. The green beans shot up like a rocket. The cucumber and zucchini seeds sprouted not long after. The onion and pepper seeds were slower to sprout… but eventually, little green shoots poked up through the soil. New life, right there on the window sill.
A few days ago, a church member shared the good and long-awaited news: a new baby born into the family. Perfect tiny fingers. Adorable chubby cheeks. Later, during a Zoom chat, she shared a photo of the little bundle of joy at home, meeting family members for the first time. New life, right there on the computer screen.
New life is all around… and it’s God’s calling card. “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19, NRSV). Even in the midst of season that are trying, fraught, or bleak, God continues to bring forth new life. In a pandemic, God brings forth life. In quarantine, God brings forth life. In isolation, God brings forth life. It’s one of the most reliable ways to spot God’s hand at work — especially for us people of the resurrection. After all, in a tomb, God brought forth life. If God can do it there, God can certainly do it here.
This week, the Creation Care Network of United Methodist Global Ministries shared a “Resurrection Photo Challenge,” inviting participants to share “signs of God’s gift of new life in the midst of God’s creation” by uploading those photos to their “Lifestream.” (If you’re interested, visit https://creationcare.umcmission.org/ for more info.) I love that idea… searching for reminders of new life — God’s own calling card — all around us.
As you spot those reminders, those signs, those vibrant green sprouts (so to speak), I hope you’ll share them with me, so that I in turn can share them with all of you. Don’t underestimate how powerful those reminders can be, especially in this season. It’s perhaps our most reliable way to spot God at work… through new life, right here in our midst.
New life will win out… because after all:
Our God is bigger than coronavirus.
Our vision is bigger than coronavirus, too.
We are people blessing people.
We are Wesley Church.
Blessings,
Pastor Candy
Want to know more?
- Learn about our church and its ministries: https://wesleychurch.com/
- Make a gift to support our mission: https://wesleychurch.com/giving-2/
- View our recent messages: https://wesleychurch.com/sermon-message-on-video/
- View previous devotionals: https://wesleychurch.com/pastor-candys-devotionals-2/
