Newness

On this first Lord’s Day Sunday, in the final month of the third quarter of the year, there is a quiet sort of excitement, a hush, yet a thrill, as we look towards our forever faithful God. Many of us may not be leaping and dancing and jumping, but O how our hearts and minds are full of gratitude and uncompromised thanks to God for all He has done and continues to work out in us, in the midst of some gruelingly testing times. Many of us find trials and testing hard, bitter and sometimes unbearable, but one thing we can testify to and it is that God has been faithful each time, in bringing us through.

As we are already seven days into this new academic and ecclesiastical year, we are mindful of the newness, and changes many of us and those whom we know, have to make. Many teachers, for example, like students have been ushered into new classes, new forms and new schools. Some parents and guardians have to travel new routes to take children to school. Some homes will be without loved ones who have gone to universities and colleges abroad. Even with our Church families, ministers have been stationed elsewhere as well as some church officers have been changed. All I am drawing your attention to is that this is a time of year when changes in churches and schools are seen, where people are concerned.

I don’t know how this comes to you, but I know that I have begun to think about myself and our Teacher Jesus. However it appears to you, I know that I asked our Teacher to show me whether or not I, like many a student at this time, have advanced to another class. Think about it. Regardless of where you were before today, you are in a new setting, an advanced setting.

Students have left nursery schools to go to pre-schools. Others have left pre-school to enter kindergarten. Others have left kindergarten levels to enter primary levels and all the way through, to those entering universities. The one point being made is that where there is growth and learning, there is advancement. This I do know and believe with all my heart. As long as we are alive and in our right minds, God’s people will continue to advance and learn with Him. In Him and with Him, there is always something fresh and new to know and learn.

The truth is that I do not know if long ago, in Bible days, people’s ages were counted as we count age today, but I know that our Father Abraham knew change and advancement, a new class I call it, when he was seventy-five years old. So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him: and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran. Genesis 12: 4.  Check it out! Abram is still advancing and growing in the Lord, even at ninety-nine years of age. This is what is recorded in Genesis 17: 1. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Isn’t God actively dealing with His child, regardless of age?

Whether you and I are young, or old, by chronological standards, we are still young, in Jesus. May we never lose the excitement, curiosity, thrill and awesomeness of being our Lord’s life students and anticipating the newness only He can provide. May God grant us always to choose the one thing that is needed – sitting at His feet, in His school. It is our Lord's joy and desire that His children be ever new in Him.

This week, we shall be sitting at the feet of one of our Lord’s Spirit filled servants, as we listen to sound advice for all believers.