“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged the world, and individuals specifically, into a liminal space. Indeed, jobs have been terminated, businesses have closed down, relationships have been severed, and opportunities have been lost. Liminal spaces are boundaries between what was and what is yet to come, times when we are not fully or properly either of two things. They are so disorienting that experts suggest that astute “way-finders” are needed to successfully navigate these uncharted waters.
While the world is frantically searching for such guides, as Christ-followers we can rely on our Heavenly Father, the accomplished way-finder. He has declared: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8). During these times of turmoil, the following are His preliminary instructions:
- Forget: Grieve your loss. But stop dwelling on the past. Do not let the nostalgic past blind you to paying attention to what God is doing or is about to do.
- See: Discern the deep work the Father is doing in your heart and completely surrender. Drink from His love. Imbibe His Word. Enjoy His presence. He is chasing after you (Hosea 2:14).
- Perceive: Wait with expectancy and hope for the Father’s “new thing” emerging on the horizon for you and the world.
Now, rest in God and trust his goodness. The Way-finder has promised to take you to the other side.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Grant me the strength to stop dwelling on the past, the grace to be attentive to your deep work in me, and the patience to wait with expectancy for my next faithful step.
Amen!
