Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth . . .
- Isaiah 43:19, ESV
These words recorded by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah are spoken by God. They remind us that God is in the business of doing new things. Sometimes it seems like we get stuck in our thinking about God. We think that God is only a God of the past and that anything God did happened a really long time ago. But these words remind us that God is not relegated to the past; God is alive here and now, and God continues to "do new things" all of the time!
This past Sunday was Brian Daoust's first day with us. Brian is now "the new guy" around here. It was good to have Brian help lead worship, but it was even better on Sunday evening when I came back for the JCPC Youth Back to School Bash. I showed up a little after 5:00 p.m. (it did not start until 5:30 p.m.), but when I arrived, the new youth space (which use to be Friendship Hall) was already filled with people. Styrofoam darts filled the air as Christian music blared way in the background. It was nice to see such a vibrant group of youth, youth sponsors, and parents -- all helping to welcome Brian and kick off the new school year.
Later after dinner, energizers, a group interrogation of Brian (How long have you had a beard?), and a cool presentation on what the youth space will eventually look like -- everyone went outside on the field for tosses at the dunk tank (Brian was the first to get dunked), volleyball, soapy slip and slide, and snow cones.
I want to give a shout out to the parents and youth advisors who made this kick-off event and welcome of Brian such a success. Now as we enter a "new" season of youth ministry under Brian's leadership, I can't wait to see all of the "new things" God is going to do!
Prayer for Today
Thank you, God, for all of the "new things" you are doing in our lives. Help us to pay attention so that we might see these new things. Especially we thank you for bringing Brian to us as our new Associate Pastor for Youth. We pray this in the strong name of Jesus the Christ. Amen.
