I’ve Never Done That Before

By Greg Sanders

It seems that the younger you are the more willing you are to try new things, but, as you grow older, your appetite for trying new things sort of wanes. Maybe it’s wisdom, maybe we become more risk adverse as we get older, or maybe it’s a combination of the two. Someone asked me the other day when was the last time you did something for the first time. I had to think really hard before I came up with a couple. First, I have had surgery for the first time. Second, I have become a father for the first time, which is absolutely the coolest thing on the planet! I immediately discovered that most of the things that I have done new were things sort of pressed on me…not choices I intentionally made. Even becoming a father is a decision I made over a decade ago that just took a season to come to pass. I am just confessing I have become risk-adverse in my current age.

The negative thing about being risk-adverse is that there is always risk involved in actively following Jesus. In Isaiah 43:19 God said, “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.” God, who created the universe, is a creative God. He did not stop being creative in Genesis. He is still doing new things and for us to participate we must be willing to take risk for Him and trust Him in new areas of our life. When was the last time you did something new for God? When was the last time you stepped out in faith and spoke to a person the Holy Spirit led you to speak to? When was the last time you gave to the work of the Lord above your tithe because you saw the opportunity of participating with something God was doing through His people? When was the last time you served in an area that was outside your normal mode of operation? It is great to find your niche and knew where you are most gifted and flourish there. However, never loose your appetite to see God use you in new areas and in new ways. He is always doing new things. Some of those new things He will want to do in you.

Today’s Challenge: Ask the Lord to open your eyes to the new things He is doing and then ask Him to show you the part you can play. Volunteer to be used in new ways, new areas, and take new risk. Taking those obedient risks is the only way we can keep in step with what God is up to today.

Blessings,

Greg