This morning in staff meeting we played an observation game.  We divided up into two teams.  Team A turned around, faced the wall, with eyes closed.  Team B had about 2 or 3 minutes to change 12 things about themselves.  Chiaki wore my wedding ring; two women switched blouses/smocks; we switched out two scarves and two necklaces, etc.

Then Team A had to turn back around and figure out the twelve different things.  And then we switched.  When Team A changed twelve things about themselves and we turned around, we all burst out laughing.  They took it to the next level, switching all their sweaters, glasses, etc.  By the second round, Team B was a lot faster than Team A at finding the changes. 

After the game, we debriefed a bit.  And I used it to share the verse that I had been given this year:  Isaiah 43:18, 19:  “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.  Look!  I am doing a new thing;  now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

I quite honestly wasn’t too excited about this verse for this year.  In some ways, I’m not looking for new things right now. My family, the Nozomi Project, and other ministry all around keeps me quite busy, thank you very much.

But I was thinking about this verse the past couple of weeks, and I love that it’s present perfect tense (is that the right phrase?) God is already doing a new thing.  He’s in the process of it.  But have I noticed?  Am I watchful?  I really believe in daily redemption… that God isn’t just wanting to do a one-time-it’s-all-fixed redemption but rather a day by day, Jesus is wanting to make all things new.  His redemption is here for me now.  What a loss when I am not aware;  not joining in!

So I shared about this verse, and what I really believe is God’s hope that each of us are watchful for the new things that He wants to do in our lives.  We get better and finding and participating when we are watchful.

I’m excited for the new things that God wants to do in my midst.