We used to say, “when one door closes, another door opens.” But now we say, “when one door closes and another opens, everyone hears the RING. (You get this if you have “ring” installed). It is a nice feature, but boy can it be annoying.
ANYWAY, the quote I am talking about is from Alexander Graham Bell, but what we never really quote is the rest of that statement “When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”
Why is it so easy for us to stare and be mad at the closed door, as opposed to looking at the new open door of opportunities? And how long do we stay “stuck” by not saying goodbye to an old season and not embracing the new? I realize sometimes our new season is an inevitable change or transition, and sometimes our new season just happens without warning. The hard starting point is turning your head and looking forward.
For most people, the pandemic created many “new seasons.” I specifically remember one day when I was a little frustrated and not my charming self, I started asking God all kinds of questions. They weren’t what I would call your “sweet curios” questions, they were more like “what the heck” type of questions. God, being patient and kind, led me to His Word in Isaiah 43:18-19, “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 desert and streams in the wasteland.”
I have walked long enough with the Lord to know when He is doing “a new thing” in me, it is always what’s best for His Kingdom and me. Is God leading you into a new season?
He tells us “Don’t dwell on the past.” So, what does that look like practically?
-Say goodbye to the last season.
“I am doing a new thing”
-Embrace the new season.
“I am making a way in the desert”
-Ask yourself what habits you should stop that is not conducive to you moving forward
“and streams in the wasteland.”
-Ask yourself what new habits need to be put into place.
We should always learn from our past seasons, but they should never define us. God wants us to forget the failure of the past, witness for Him in the present, and claim His promises for the future.
Heavenly Father, thank you for open and closed doors. May we all lean close to You and follow the directions of the Holy Spirit as we say goodbye to old seasons, and hello to the new. Help our vision to be “forward” as we embrace “the new thing” You have for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
