August is considered the ‘Back to School’ month. Students, teachers, administrators, custodians, support staff, bus drivers and others all begin a NEW YEAR. It was always exciting to start a NEW year for me. I loved experiencing things new – new room, new friends, new teachers, new clothes, new textbooks (many times the books were used but they had some underlines or notes that might be helpful.)
Not everyone enjoyed the new. Some students dreaded change, they were comfortable with what they knew, how it was and what to expect. Change was difficult for them! We had one of those students in our household. It always made the new year difficult. Sometimes there would be tears and upset stomachs. That part of the new year was not fun.
Jesus is all about the NEW. He makes us a new creation. His mercies are new each day!
Many times, we the church, get uncomfortable with NEW! We like what we know, what we are used too, what has worked before. That mindset will work for awhile! But somewhere along the way the OLD gets worn out! It is used up! And we need to find NEW ways to proclaim the SAME message. (We often say that it is the OLD message, but it is really not OLD, it is the SAME! It is the truth! God will continue to work in our lives, in our world but it will be with NEW methods to reach the NEW culture but the SAME message will create NEW life, changed lives that will bring a hope and a future. RESTORING, REBUILDING, REPAIRING brings NEW!
We are looking forward to this fall, with NEW EVENTS! Lay Retreat, SPARK, m&m Retreat, and Men of Purpose Conference are all events that are planned to help each of us experience NEW life. Hope you will join us.