Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old.I am about to do 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. Isaiah 43:18-19
Let’s be honest. This is harder than we’d like to admit. We love our traditions and the comfort of routine, unless the ‘something new’ is more comfortable, beneficial, rewarding for us than the old way of doing things. For the past 30 months or so have been juggling our preference for routine and familiarity alongside the required new ways of doing things. Who among us hasn’t had to search for toilet paper, adjust to wearing a mask, reevaluate our cleaning practices, find a way to make our sanctuary, or home, also serve as a home office and/or a classroom?!
Why is the “new” uncomfortable for us?
Let’s take a clue from our physical bodies: consider what it takes to develop eye-hand coordination. A kid learns how to tie her/his own shoes and with painstaking practice, fingers become more adept. Eventually, we don’t even have to have eyes on those loops to be successful at tying our shoes. Our brains tell the muscles of our fingers to move a certain way; those ways are responses to the signs our eyes have picked up on (like how big the loops are and how to twist our fingers to thread the laces) and communicated to our brains. Fascinating how God wires us, huh?!
Anything new is uncomfortable because a change in our speed, focus, and intent of life is required. New behaviors, new beliefs, new anything have no neural path to support them YET. Our discomfort comes in choosing – and eventually mastering – a new way.
What’s “new” with you?
Maybe your focus has shifted because a new priority has presented itself. Or, maybe your job or your family is requiring a new level of energy. It could be that issues and concerns you never dreamed you’d be attending to are right in front of you. New demands, new needs, new opportunities all require a shift that is uncomfortable at best. You don’t have to do it alone! God intended that we live in community so that in new times we have help in celebrating and help in getting through.
What’s “new” at Cook’s UMC?
Check this out:
- A new worship experience called The Well will be added beginning October 2 at 11:00 a.m.
- A new small group on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m will also start on October 2
- A new opportunity to partner with the West Elementary staff, faculty, and students
- A new outreach with Habitat for Humanity to help build a home with a neighbor
- A new community choir project between Cook’s and Grace UMC’s
- And, more!
“New” can be exciting; “new” can be stressful, too. You don’t have to do it alone. Add another “new” thing to the mix and let us walk life’s journey with you!
