He is doing a new thing
"Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick:
Remember not the former things, nor consider things of old. Behold, I am doing 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... for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people, the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise" (Isaiah 43:16-19, emphasis mine).
This is God's word to his people Israel in their judgment and exile due to their past faithlessness, idolatry, and lack of concern for injustice in their midst. He says that in this sorrowful and seemingly hopeless time, he will make a way where there is no way and "do a new thing," so that his people praise him as they are created to do. Hundreds of years after the exilic period, Jews and Gentiles understood that this "new thing" ultimately unfolded in the person of Jesus Christ. Almost no one expected God to come down himself, care for the brokenhearted, and rescue his people by dying for them, only to resurrect, ascend, and pour down his Spirit. This was GOOD NEWS to all.
Reading this passage this morning, I wanted to give thanks to God for doing "new things" in our lives during this post-grad period. I am confident that God is with us as we meet new people, learn new things, and go on new adventures wherever we are. But I pray that for all of us, there would be nothing newer and more refreshing to our souls than Jesus himself. Sometimes, I feel the temptation to think of the Gospel as a parable or allegory that guides my life, but as followers of Christ, we must see that HE is life itself - we have no meaning or hope apart from HIM - and HE compels us to take up our crosses and die everyday.
I pray that especially for those of us who feel dry and/or are burdened by past hurts, mistakes, relationships, and sins, that we would turn to God and praise him TODAY for who he is and what he has done in our lives. Would your thirst be fulfilled through your worship and would you be strengthened to see the new things that God is doing in your life this year.