Whispers And Wildflowers By Sarah Beth MarrÖrnek

Day Two:  Start Fresh Scripture: Isaiah 43:19, Philippians 2:13 Before we go further, I have a challenge for you. If you can, take a moment to strategically set aside something, anything, that will give your soul a break while you begin to learn new ideas and habits as you move closer to Jesus—to give yourself space to navigate these daily retreats? Take a moment to ask the Lord what that could be for you: “I’m taking a break from _____.” Rest assured that starting fresh has begun. You are giving yourself permission to acknowledge that the way you live is overcrowded. We serve a God who is an expert on giving us fresh starts: “Behold, I am making all things new” (Revelations 21:5). Additionally, the book of Isaiah points out the hope of newness and restoration that we have in Christ. Not only eternal renewal as we get to live forever with God one day but also restoration for us in this life too. According to Isaiah 43:19, God is doing something new in your life, in my life, and maybe we don’t even perceive it. Maybe we can’t feel it. Maybe we wonder where He went. God declares that He can make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Giving yourself space to retreat with the Lord allows you to see that way and those rivers. As part of your fresh start, realize that He is the One to bring your heart renewed hope, to delight you with His nearness and love, and to uproot the gunk inside that’s suppressing your joy. He’s the One who puts that desire for transformation inside you. That desire for change is a beautiful gift from God, and we don’t have to manufacture spring in our hearts. We don’t have to force the blooming. As we acknowledge our desire to give God access to our hearts, we begin to see that He is the One who does the growing, transforming, and flourishing: “We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). Although God never stops the process of gardening our hearts, maybe you feel like He paused work in your heart for too long? What is hard about giving God access to work and to heal your heart? Take time to pray, asking God to help you trust Him for the care of your heart.