David Lee
By David Lee, BCM/D Executive Director
OK, what’s next? Many of us are asking that question as we begin this new decade. I have encountered few people who are sad to see 2009 go. In fact, I cannot think of any right now! Most of us breathed a collective sigh of relief when that ball fell in New York City New’s Year Eve.
I found an old file recently with notes from an address I made to a group doing “futuring.” In that presentation, I referenced research from sociologists steeped in generation studies who were suggesting that something dramatic would occur in 2010 that would reshape life as we know it. I hope they were a year off and what they were predicting actually occurred in the form of all the economic turmoil of 2009. That was enough drama for me! How about you?
Whatever the case, we approach 2010 with relief, concern and several question marks. We also as believers approach this new decade with our souls anchored in a savior who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Dallas Willard in his book, “Renovation of the Heart,” gives perspective. “God periodically moves upon his people and in their surrounding culture to achieve his everlasting purposes for that tiny stretch of cosmic time we call ‘human history.’ This usually happens in ways that no one but he could have planned or foreseen and in ways that lie far beyond our control or comprehension.”
Willard continues, “We discover, usually after the fact, that a pervasive and powerful shift has occurred. It may happen to the individual, to the group, or to an entire culture. Old ways of doing things cease to be effective, though they may have been very powerful in the past. There arises a very real danger that we will set ourselves in opposition to what God truly is doing now and aims to do in the future. Often we miss the opportunity to act with God in the now. We fail to find, quickly enough, new wineskins for the new wine.”
Here is some food for thought.
• No matter what happens God is still on his throne.
• None of us knows exactly what will happen, but all of us can be assured that life is going to be characterized by dramatic change. We cannot reclaim yesterday. Today is a “new normal.” None of us can predict tomorrow.
• God has not abandoned us. On the contrary, God is actively involved in what is taking place around us. He is always teaching, always molding, always speaking if we will listen.
• Because of God’s faithfulness in the “old,” we should not fear the “new.” In fact, we should be vigilant, looking for his hand in what is taking place.
• And if God is about to do a new thing, I certainly don’t want to miss it!