‘Everything is new’

You could almost hear a collective sigh of relief as the curtains closed on 2020. There’s no doubt the past 12 months have brought major challenges – from the pandemic’s toll to devastating wildfires, recession, record unemployment, parents juggling work and child care while learning to homeschool, and events large and small canceled or postponed.

On a brighter note, qualities of selflessness, joy, and creativity remained present and active in fresh ways. Talented artists and musicians inspired millions over social media channels, marriages were celebrated in innovative ways, giving and volunteering multiplied, creative home office environments blossomed, and families (and pets!) spent more quality time together than perhaps they ever thought possible. In fact, pet adoptions soared during the pandemic. And as traffic and resulting pollution lessened, for the first time in three decades, people in India reported a clear view of the Himalayas from 100 miles away.

I’d like to think we can all cherish clearer views of ourselves and our world. For me, this involves prayer grounded in an understanding of God as our shared divine Parent and as all good. This is a spiritual reality that promises – even guarantees – newness at every turn.

With the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus gave us an example of the kind of prayer that brings us to that altitude of thought. He began this prayer with “Our father,” which includes all of us as God’s children. And he concluded with, “Deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever” (Matthew 6:13). Mary Baker Eddy, a follower of Jesus and the founder of the Monitor, echoed the prayer’s promise that God’s power delivers us from evil when she wrote, “Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy” (“Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,” p. 249).

Recognizing that Spirit, God, is supreme and the only legitimate power enables us to overcome evil – in whatever form – that would prevent us from feeling God’s love and protection. Through prayer, we experience more permanent goodness and deliverance right where we are.

Several years ago a change in employment meant selling our family home of 15 years and moving to a new state. We purged and donated many of our belongings as we prepared ourselves for this new chapter. It was prayer that helped me feel the peace that comes from treasuring memories without clinging to the past in a way that hinders fresh steps of progress.

I prayed with the concept of really feeling “the divine energy of Spirit,” God, like wind at my back – gently yet actively moving us forward to our new home and purpose. God’s power and energy is a force for only good, and could never include destruction or hurt, pain or sorrow. Nothing can stop the momentum of God’s loving direction for our lives, and it’s natural for us to feel and express God’s love and peace.

These ideas gave me the needed confidence to handle several roadblocks, such as the large tree that fell during a wind storm and barely missed our home, the unexpected expense of a project to ready our home for the new owners, and concerns about all the steps involved with planning and orchestrating the move on a tight timeline. Storms, time and financial limitations, and other “material powers” don’t have the power to touch, let alone destroy, the permanent good God gives us.

The “divine energy” that promises continual newness felt palpable as we progressed with each step of the move. In fact, I almost had to laugh at the fact that the old tree – which had provided us with shade, beauty, and a swing for years – had decided to go out when we did. And I was able to secure a capable and available contractor for the project, along with the necessary funds to complete the job in time for our home sale.

Despite the obstacles, the move felt full of joy and promise – and indeed, it has proved to be a blessing for our entire family.

So as 2021 launches, it’s possible to learn from the past without letting it consume us. The Apostle Paul gave us an encouraging message of hope to hold to: “The past is forgotten, and everything is new” (II Corinthians 5:17, Contemporary English Version). In this way each of us can demonstrate something of God’s infinite goodness and power, right here on earth.

Some more great ideas! To hear a podcast discussion about finding solutions to financial problems, relationship difficulties, and health issues, all through the power of prayer, please click through to the latest edition of Sentinel Watch on www.JSH-Online.com titled “Being about God's business – the intersection of business and religion.” There is no paywall for this podcast.