So, you’ve known yourself your whole life, right? Does that make you the best judge of your character? How about your abilities? Your limitations? And your potential?
What if God whispered this Word over you:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
And streams in the wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NIV)
I challenge you to consider that perhaps you don’t actually know where your boundaries of limitation and potential lie. I believe God can do something brand new in your life that is completely fitting with the character he has been growing in you. Something completely new and yet completely you.
Over the past week I have been watching a stunning transformation in a plant outside my sun room window. I am no botanist and no gardener, but I can tell you that for the four and a half years I have lived in this house it has always been the same; a strong and healthy plant, green, native and drought-resistant. It has survived and thrived through years of drought without a single supplementary watering (my kinda plant). Last week a new shoot appeared, unlike any I have seen on this plant before. It grew with tremendous speed. Within one week this shoot has grown over a meter in length. Small branches have unfurled all the way along to reveal thousands of tiny floral buds. I have never seen flowers on this plant before, and I can’t wait to see them in their full glory.
A new thing is happening in this tree, not seen before, because right now, the timing and conditions are perfect. You see, a long drought has broken, and with water nourishing the plant, it is able to bloom and spread its perfume and seed in a way that, although not seen before, is perfectly characteristic. It is this moment for which this plant was made. It is at this moment that this plant is at its peak life-giving potential.
Esther, until her people were threatened with impending genocide, did not realize that she was a woman of such courage and tenacity and respect that she could save the lives of her people. God brought out in Esther potential she didn’t know she had, in perfect timing, and it became her best defining moment.
David, a shepherd-boy, the youngest of many brothers, did not realize his strength and leadership capability until, first a bear threatened his flock, and then a giant threatened the army of his country. Again, a defining moment, potential he didn’t know he had, stirred up by the Holy Spirit in perfect circumstances.
The woman at the well in Samaria, who judged her own character as broken, despised and discarded, found herself restored in Jesus, and with the potential to lead her entire community to the Lord through her testimony. How’s that for unrecognized potential?
Our God is in the business of doing new things, and shining His light through clay pots, making them altogether more magnificent than we thought possible. God is in the business of doing new things in us too.
Whatever circumstances are pressing on you right now, they may be just the very circumstances God’s allowing because he knows it will bring forth a new defining moment in you, beyond your wildest expectations. The most characteristic and life-giving thing about you, may well be this very new thing he is starting in you now.
By Emma Leitch, a total Monet
Leave a Comment
Amy Hunt says
Emma (I adore your name)…your post just might be the one single post that has spoken so deeply into my heart, and yet maybe I say that because of timing. [smile]
What you wrote had me sounding “hmm” all along, very excited for this Truth that I know and yet had forgotten. You mean it?! Really?! This is amazing stuff, girl! And yet, I know you’re right. It’s this truth that really, truly has the power to transform our lives and it’s a truth we overlook so often. I so much appreciate God’s Divine timing in my life to read the words He allowed you to share in the way you shared them. Such beautiful word pictures.
Rich blessings as you continue to draw others to “splash” in His love (I love that!)…
Holley Gerth says
Smiling and cheering with you, Emma! Thank you for this good make-your-heart-brave news! I needed to hear this today…
Stephanie Hamann says
Thank you, as well. I may be heading into some new waters after today, and it makes me see it with new perspective – not something to be feared, but something to walk into, in order to see what God will do. Thank you, dear sister, for sharing!
Wendy Collins says
Thanks Emma for your wonderful words of encouragement.
A timely reminder about God’s goodness and His perfect timing.
Paula Kemp says
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed that.
Sheryl says
Emma,
Truly beautiful words and God’s perfect timing that I read this today. Isaiah 43:18-19 is the scripture God put in my heart 2 1/2 years ago as I entered into a time of major transition in my life stepping away from a long time public career and into the unknown. This season has brought unemployment, freelance work, heartbreak, ministry and a new version of the woman God made me to be. The circumstances have produced the hardest and most rewarding times of my life. Your words today greatly helped and reminded me to trust God’s perfect design and plan for me. Thank you!
Alexandra says
This is definitely God’s word for me today. Thank you so much. For a while now, GOd has been whispering this very verse to my heart, and I’ve been wondering what it means (I even blogged about it in January http://whisperingsomething.blogspot.com/2011/01/gods-whisper.html )
Your post reminds me of God’s call, enriches it with new dimensions… and fills me with excitement.
Thank you.
Zoe says
Emma,
it is nearly 2am and I have been wrestling with lies all night. The Lord just spoke truth to me through your post. Thank you so very much. I am very much on the brink of something new, and have been beset by doubt all day. Your words encourage me to pause, and to let God work in me, to trust that He will bring forth as yet unseen blooms. Seriously, I cannot thank you enough! I suspect I will be sitting here for some time praying and rereading them and letting their truth sink in.
Jennifer says
Wow, Emma! Wonderful example of the way that God works. So encouraging. I love, “I believe God can do something brand new in your life that is completely fitting with the character he has been growing in you” and “A new thing is happening in this tree, not seen before, because right now, the timing and conditions are perfect”. I believe God is doing some new things in my life bc the conditions are perfect, like your tree. Thanks so much!
Brianne says
Thank you for this! Very timely for me too.
Kat says
I’m in the midst of changes, waiting for a path or courage or something to move forward. Thank you for the encouraging words.
Rosemary says
Thanks Emma,
This is truly inspirational,
God bless you
love Rose.
Betty Draper says
thanks Emma, your post has become our prayer in the last two months. I too believe God can do something brand new in our lives that is completely fitting with the character he has been growing in you. Something completely new and yet completely you. I love the “completely you”, makes the attention He us personal. he’s not like a person on the phone of some company who knows nothing about our charecter, our passions, our dreams. that thought gives me great courage as we take another step in our faith walk into the unknown. You post excited this heart a little worn from the ministry we are in now. It’s been a while since I felt that stirring of excitement.