As I mindlessly scrolled social media while waiting for my darling wife in the book store (where time doesn’t seem to exist for her), a video reel showing a ‘Cash for Change’ machine appeared. It showed people inserting their cash into the machine with the expectation to receive change of the same value given. Instead, once placing your dollar note in the machine, an automatic recording begins to play. With heavenly music in the background, it asks, “Are you looking for change? Change is never easy but using this machine is the first step to real, positive change.” You can imagine the look of dismay on each person who rendered their hard earned cash away, only to receive a message of encouragement.
If only creating positive change in our lives and in the lives of others was as easy as inserting money into a vending machine! When it comes to change, we often resist or cling to past experiences saying to ourselves, “Ah, those were the good old days…”
In Isaiah 43, we read about God’s chosen nation, Israel. The Israelites were stuck between the past and the future. They were often unable to move forward as a nation with their lack of faith in God and His ability to care for them. They were holding on to what God had done for them in the past and how He delivered them from captivity. Their minds were not set on God, only a past experience, and they lacked hope that God would be present in the future. They lacked living relationship.
“I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses. I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smouldering candlewick. But forget all that - it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
God created a path for the Israelites through the Red Sea, He can also make a path through the wilderness. God made the Red Sea dry up for them, He can also create rivers in dry wastelands.
As the middle of the year draws closer, we often reflect about earlier events of the year; where did time go? Or maybe time is going too slow! Things we wish didn’t happen or longing for things to stay the same. We rush ahead to make plans for the rest of the year, but God is gently calling us to hope in Him, the One who can do new and wonderful things.
God promises to be with you no matter what! He is faithful to see you through. He provides new and positive changes in and around your life and it won’t cost you a cent!
Mr Fraser Howard
School Counsellor
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