Responding to the Lord in a New Season
by Keith L. Miller
There is a powerful difference between recognizing that a new season has arrived and personally responding to the Lord's invitation in that season. New seasons bring new opportunities, fresh beginnings, divine appointments, and new dimensions of what the Lord desires to accomplish in our lives. In Isaiah 43:19, the Lord declares, "Behold, I will do a new thing." What a wonderful promise that reminds us to remain expectant and attentive to the fresh things He is bringing forth! Yet, in the midst of all that God is doing around us, there is also a personal invitation to grow in Him.
The new things the Lord brings into our lives become opportunities to experience greater dimensions of His grace, wisdom, and anointing. As 2 Peter 3:18 encourages us, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." We are invited not only to experience what the Lord is doing, but also to grow in our relationship with Him as we participate in His purpose.
As we step into a new season, we can expect the Lord to open new doors, bring increase, and lead us into things we have not experienced before. But in the midst of these wonderful opportunities, we must also make the personal choice to draw closer to Him, become more sensitive to His voice, and grow in our fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
Jesus reveals this wonderful relationship in John 15:5, teaching that as we abide in Him, we bear much fruit, because apart from Him we can do nothing. The fruitfulness of a new season flows from the life and divine supply we continually receive through our union with Christ. It is not simply a matter of asking, "Lord, what new things are You going to do?" but also, "Lord, how can I grow with You and receive the fresh grace and anointing needed to walk in everything You are bringing forth?" What a wonderful invitation to experience both the new things of God and greater depths of relationship with Him!
Personal Application — Say Yes to the New and Yes to Growing in Him
I want to personally encourage you not to simply enter this new season with an expectation of what the Lord is going to do, but with a wholehearted decision to grow in your relationship with Him. There are new things the Lord desires to bring into your life, but there are also new levels of grace, wisdom, spiritual understanding, and anointing He desires to develop within you.
Do not settle for merely experiencing the blessings of a new season when you have been invited to experience greater depths of fellowship with the One who brings those blessings. Make room in your daily life to minister unto the Lord, spend time in His Word, listen to the Holy Spirit, and become increasingly sensitive to His leading.
Colossians 2:6–7 reminds us that as we have received Christ Jesus the Lord, we are to continue walking in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith. Your spiritual growth is not separate from the new things God is bringing forth; it is part of preparing you to walk in them with greater wisdom, stability, and fruitfulness.
Make a personal choice today to say yes to both the new things of God and the greater relationship He is inviting you into. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where He desires to enlarge your capacity, strengthen your spiritual life, and bring you into a greater flow of His divine supply. As new doors open, determine to walk through them in dependence upon His grace.
As new opportunities arise, seek His wisdom and instruction. As increase comes, allow your fellowship with Him to increase as well. Remember, the Lord is not only interested in bringing you into something new; He desires to grow you, strengthen you, and equip you to walk in the fullness of His purpose.
Let this be your personal response: "Lord, I welcome the new things You are bringing into my life, but above all, I say yes to growing with You. Enlarge my heart, deepen my fellowship with You, and release the fresh grace and anointing I need to walk in everything You have prepared for me!"
Grace Grace & Much Love,
Keith & Janet
