New Beginnings

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

(Isaiah 43:19 NIV)

New beginnings are inevitable. In Isaiah, we are told to not dwell on the past but to look and see the new things that our Creator is doing. He is inviting us into those new things.

Here in Music and Arts Ministries, it has been a privilege to provide two publications to readers, the Zine and the Salvation Army Worship Magazine. As we look at the changing landscape, we have decided to merge these two publications into MAM Monthly. Once a month, we will release an article on this blog. Like the above publications, these articles will be stories of celebration around what God is doing in music ministry, how-to articles, devotional material, new music releases, and so much more. All the great articles you are used to reading will simply be coming to you once a month through this platform.

I can say that the landscape of music and arts in this territory has changed and shifted over the years. It’s important that we reflect on where we’ve been to celebrate what God has done, and to learn from our missteps along the way. Yet we can’t stay facing that direction forever – we do not dwell on the past. We need to look forward and try to perceive what God is showing us. Our challenge then becomes identifying what God wants us to do next.

Think about your context right now. Does God want you to start a choir that is open to the whole community? Is God showing you someone who He wants as the next worship team leader, and He’s asking you to pour encouragement and knowledge into that individual? Is God asking you to lead the Junior Band, even though the thought of teaching 8-year-olds makes you panic a little? Is God asking you to put pen to paper and write something new for your congregation to sing? Is God saying “less of you and more of Me,” wanting us to find a spirit of service and humility? I don’t know what your new beginning may be, but I pray that all of us are looking up from what we are doing and asking God to show us His way.

Do you find new beginnings exciting? Or do they bring you worry or fear?

If you’re the latter, I feel your hesitation. I’ve experienced it myself. But how beautiful are the assurances of God in this same chapter of Isaiah:

¹But now, this is what the Lord says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

²When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

³For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour;

(Isaiah 43:1-3a NIV)

by Heather Osmond

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