There is so much excitement when God decides to turn the page in our lives.
When He picks up the pen, or when he starts a new chapter entirely, we know that the Lord has got a big plan and He’s starting on it soon. We wonder, “what will He do?” and how, and when, or even how we’ll handle it. There are so many big questions that we start to feel anxious about it. In fact, there can be so much anxiety that we lose focus on God’s movement and fixate on what may feel like the mountain before us. But, as we know, for every question we have, the Bible has a million answers. And they all point to the one true answer: Jesus.
And, while that new chapter in our lives seems uncontrollable and scary to us, there are things we can do to both put it in perspective and prepare us for it.
Let’s turn to Proverbs, Matthew and Psalms.
If you’ve ever written a book, you know that a lot of authors tend to outline their plots. As in (in a nutshell), “this character will do this, then this will happen,” and so on and so forth. Even if you’re not a writer at all, we still do this, but in day-to-day life. We want to write our own stories, when they’re really God’s to write. Proverbs 16:9 TPT says that “Within your heart you can make plans for your future, but the Lord chooses the steps you take to get there.” So, we can plan out how we think that chapter is going to go, but ultimately, God has the last say. We have to surrender that outline to Him so that we can hear that say.
There is something beautiful in that realization. We understand that we don’t have to have it all the way figured out, because God does. He also has a better story in mind, because, after all, he is the Author, not just an author.
The act of surrender also allows us to align our will with His will, which can be tough, especially when your last chapter ended on a cliffhanger or you’re in the middle of a hard time. Surrender is a daily decision (one with which, if I am being completely honest, I struggle). Every time we see a blank page or a new day, we must consciously tell ourselves, “Lord, I don’t know what’s supposed to go here, but I trust you to write it.” I mean to literally tell ourselves that. Even practice handing it off. Surrender can be difficult, but it is vital.
We’ve also got to be prayed up for that new chapter. With a new beginning comes decisions, trials and innumerable other little situations that can be confusing or even downright hard. Matthew 6:5-15 tell us how to pray well. When we do saturate these things in prayer, we receive the comfort, guidance and conviction that helps to guide us through each and every turn of a chapter, because we are talking to its Author. It’s during those prayers that He whispers to us, perhaps a “do this,” or an “I’m going to do this,” or, in those really weepy moments, “I know and I’m here.” If God wasn’t your go-to in the last chapter, He needs to be in this one.
The last and perhaps most difficult reminder for a new chapter is to be still. This is much, much easier said than done, but it still must be done for us to truly surrender and to hear God among the chaos. Most people know Psalm 46:10 TPT, which says “Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all the nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth.” But the next verse says “Here he stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us! Pause in his presence.” This verse tells us three things: one, that God is here with us, two, that He is on our side, and three, to pause in His presence, and it does that three times throughout the chapter. It also tells us that there is no need to fear or to fight because God will do the fighting and He has no fear. He is the ultimate authority, the beginning and the end, and He’s going to fight for you.
I think we need a perspective shift on the concept of newness. I’ve talked about how it can be scary, but how about exciting? A blank page can be intimidating, sure, but it’s also full of potential. Potential for God to work, to move, and write a beautiful story. So, surrender it to him, pray without ceasing, and get ready to read.
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