Perceive the New--Refreshment in Christ

We prayed out by the church's fire ring this morning, and I saw some seedlings growing up through the ashes/burnt wood. Someone had also put some trash in it...

The Lord brought to my mind Isaiah 43:18-19, "Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." 
This was fulfilled in Christ, and it also speaks to God's purposes in everything. He brings life out of what was dead. What I thought was of value will have been burned up as His life is gradually revealed in us. However, too often I focus on giving Him my trash in the refining fire rather than the Life to be revealed.

"I, even I am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins...For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants; And they will spring up among the grass Like poplars by streams of water.' " (Isa. 43:25; 44:3-4)

The Lord is doing everything that we would know Him and make Him known--the one who has called us His own and will satisfy us in every way. "This one will say, 'I am the LORD'S'; and that one will call on the name of Jacob; and another will write on his hand, 'Belonging to the LORD,' And will name Israel's name with honor." (Isa. 44:5).

We can trust that the Lord will do His work through us as we look to Him, expecting something new and refreshing--a greater experience of His life.