How Much More?

“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 wilderness…” Isaiah 43:16-19

I was reading this passage today and suddenly the image of a machete came to mind. I looked up the definition and was shocked to see all the functions it provides. One function that is very important is the power to clear new paths and blaze new trails. Another function is to remove dead plant residue by scalping the above ground vegetation while leaving the root in place. I began picturing the Lord in an overgrown vegetative terrain swinging a machete blazing new trails in our lives with same power in which the world was created…the same power that sent the rains to Noah…the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

Making new ways in the wilderness…clearing new paths…blazing new trails…removing dead plant residue. This should lift the heart of everyone reading this since we all have new things to come… new blessings to harvest. There is a beautiful statement in the Bible that echoes this exciting sentiment. Matthew 7:11 beckons us to consider ‘If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!’ Much more indeed! More than our greatest loneliness…more than our emptiest bank accounts…more than our deepest grief. He tramples on evil and swings His power blazing the path for new found hope. He resurrects the dead places in our hearts and in our dreams with His Spirit leaving the root of renewal and joy for the future.

I know what my ‘how much more’ looks like. I am wondering this morning about your 'how much more'. Is it the healing of your grieving heart or the repair of your broken marriage? Is it the return of your prodigal child or the phone call for future work? Is it the remission of your medical illness or the reconciliation of a broken relationship? Whatever it is God is up ahead swinging His power to clear a good and future path on which you will walk. He is blazing new opportunities for each of us since we are His children. He is orchestrating your 'how much more' and it will be great! Keep your focus on the things up ahead instead of the things that lay behind. Remember that looking at the path behind you just might prevent you from seeing the path before you.