When the New Wears Off

When children are given a new gift, any gift, they love it. They play with it all the time, sometimes proclaiming it is their new favorite toy. Then it happens. It may take a few weeks, a few days or even a few short hours. The new wears off. Suddenly that shiny, new toy is discarded amongst all the other toys that were once their favorite.

That phenomenon is not limited to children. Adults do it, too. Whether it be a new car, new home, new appliance, new clothes, shoes or whatever, the new on it has a shelf life. Look around your home. How many things do you see that the new has long since worn off of? We may have a few truly favorite things that we treasure, but what about the rest of it?

Now think about that task that God called you to do. Did He call you to preach? to teach? to sing? to evangelize? to serve in missions? Yes? Have you ever had days when you felt like the new wore off? Did you ever wonder if you heard Him right? if that task was still the task He was calling you to?

God's callings come in many shapes and forms. Each one is great. Each one is significant. Each one holds eternal value. Maybe your task is to raise your children with love and the knowledge of who Jesus is. Maybe your task is to help feed the hungry or visit the prisoners or minister to the ill and infirmed. Maybe your task is quietly sowing love in everything you do, sharing the salt and the light of the gospel by pure example. Maybe your task is prayer. Maybe your task is to mentor the youth in your neighborhood. Maybe your task is to provide a safe haven for those you find in trouble or distress.

Whatever your task, given by God, sometimes it's going to feel like the new wore off. In fact, you may question everything some days. The great thing about God and His word is that when it feels like the new wore off, and you find yourself in that dark place of wondering and worrying that maybe you missed what He was trying to tell you, take heart!!

Place yourself in His presence. Place yourself in His word and watch Him make all things NEW again. He can stir up your zeal, restore and confirm the vision that He gave you. He will strengthen you, refresh you and comfort you. He will encourage you. You don't have to trudge along with a worn out face, proclaiming like Droopy, "I'm sooo happy."

We don't have the luxury that children have when the new wears off. We can't simply toss God's calling to the side because it lost its shine. We can't hand it to the Lord and demand a new one. We must return to the Lord, fix our eyes on Jesus and when we've done all we can do to stand, then stand some more. Put on the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6 and take heart. He makes all things new.