From A Pastor's Heart

Pastor Oscar Banks
Palm Lake Christian Church
St. Petersburg, Florida

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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. ~ Isaiah 43:18-19

Often as believers we embrace the theology of God taking us into new seasons but can sometimes resist the reality or process of those new seasons. God is constantly moving and modifying our world, our hearts, our lives, and it can often cause us to pause and want to hold onto a certain nostalgic moment in history. When God is changing the seasons it is best to hang on and go with God’s flow.

It would be like trying to hold onto winter as the trees and flowers are budding. No matter how you dress for winter and keep your heaters blazing, the season will still change. The question we must ask ourselves is, “are we willing to go through the process of change with the season?” My prayer is that your answer will be yes.

Over the past year and a half, we have all experienced a few whiplashes of change that have not been easy. Some of us have been pushed to the brink of our mental capacity to adapt. Some of us have tried everything not to lose our temper with loved ones and friends. We have lost loved ones and friends to disease and broken relationships. Many of us have struggled with changes of our personal health, finances, and relationships in silence. This has not been an easy changing of the seasons.  

The encouraging silver lining is that God is with us. In the pain, disappointments, frustrations and even in loss God remains with us in every transition. With every transition brings forth newness in our lives. New possibilities, new opportunities, new ways of seeing things and often new relationships. This is why the Prophet Isaiah says, “do you not perceive it?” Our perception of life’s transitions rules our realities. Do you perceive life happening to you or for you? How ever you perceive the “new thing” is how you will respond. Maybe it is time we begin to ask God to give us new eyes so we can see things the way God desires for us to perceive. Say this prayer, “Open the eyes of my heart, oh God, to see this season as your season. Help me to embrace your grace for the new and the now. In Jesus name, Amen!”  
 
With a Pastor’s Heart,
Pastor Oscar

Scripture Reading
Monday - Isaiah 43
Tuesday - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Wednesday - Ephesians 1:3-14
Thursday - Ephesians 1:15-23
Friday - Galatians 6
Saturday - Acts 1:1-10