"'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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
If you're like me and thousands of other runners around the world, you purchased your running gear online during the COVID stay-at-home order. And while that was great for us, it wasn't great for running stores who saw a huge drop in revenue and were left scrambling to find ways to make up for the lost foot traffic. Pacers Running stores in Washington, D.C. was one of those stores. When their shops closed on March 16, Kathy Dalby knew they had to so something fast to keep sales going. So they did something new. They added virtual fittings, where customers could schedule online shoe-fitting appointments from home and get a similar shop feel via a video call. She said this allowed her to keep her employees working. How's that for being innovative?
And you know, when it comes to being innovative, God is always doing new things and working to bring about new beginnings. In fact, when the Israelites were once again living in captivity, He told them to "forget the former things" so they wouldn't dwell on their past sins and failures - something that would keep them from moving forward to the "new thing" God had in store, their release from exile. And thankfully, the Lord is still doing new things today. He is still releasing people from the bonds of sin and still giving them new beginnings, new hope and new lives. Isn't that a reason to smile?
So if you think it's too late to change your life or that you've done things that the Lord couldn't possibly forgive, think again my friend. "Do you not perceive" or understand what our mighty God can do and how much He loves you? He can even make a "way in the wilderness" to lead you to the "new thing" He has in store for you. It's not too late if you will simply forget the past, move forward and follow His lead.
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who can and will forgive all our sins no matter how unworthy we might feel of that forgiveness. Help us to understand that You can and will make all things and all people new, even the sinner who thinks he or she could never change, if they would simply make the the choice to follow You. And we pray that they would make that choice today. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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