WHEN FISH ARTISTS BLOG

Here's a blog from Rebecca St. James (love her!) from www.rsjames.com: “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” —Isaiah 43:18, 19, The Message Often we think of new things on January 1, but God is about the business of newness far more frequently than that. God is a God of new things. Multiple times in the Psalms, David urged us to “sing to the LORD a new song.”There are many good songs already in existence. Why is God so concerned with new ones? Because they arise out of new experiences, new ways in which God has recently revealed himself in our lives. He’s not just the God who did some amazing things in our past—He’s the God who is doing some amazing things now! And since He is the Creator He knows how to invent newness in the lives of His children. He simply wants us to come to Him and ask for new times of refreshing.Recently I have been in the midst of an extended sabbatical and really focused on praying and seeking God on what this time should look like. My life is pretty mapped out—with touring, book writing, songwriting, and time spent in the studio. Sabbatical is a time of open space to approach God with open hands and heart and to say, “God, renew me, speak to me, prepare my heart for new things that you want to do in my heart and in my ministry.” I really have a sense of anticipation that God is moving me into a new “room” of my life—that I have actually been in one room for some time—and He is moving me into another space in the house of my life.I’m very excited about this coming season—that God is already opening some new doors of ministry. I’m also in this season exploring some film and acting opportunities that I have been wanting to explore for some time. It just feels to me like a season of newness and I think this sabbatical is very key to that. Ultimately, I always want to be in the center of God’s will and involved in the adventure He has for me. One has to sit and hear from God—and be still—to be sensitive to His will for what’s His best for us as He writes the story of our lives.I encourage you, my friends, on this first day of the new year --if you feel as if you are in a spiritual rut, ask yourself why. Have you allowed yourself to settle into a state of apathy or mediocrity, because the same old songs drone on in your life? All you have to do is ask, “God, what new thing do you want to bring in my life this season?” If you are willing to ask, He is willing to answer. What are you waiting for? Do it today!Blessings for the new year to come!Rebecca