Novices in the New, Not Experts in the Old
Have you ever stepped into an unexpected, new season? It may have been a role or situation you didn't plan or feel ready for.
Lately, I've been reflecting on this insight: God wants us to be novices in the new, not experts in the old. I believe this is a prophetic reminder for many today.
Many of us long for clarity before we move forward. Yet God calls us before we feel ready, even when we've waited a long time! This is the nature of stepping into something new.
Below are some key insights I've reflected on recently:
Prepare Your Heart Rather than Perfect Your Plans
"...you have not passed this way before." (Joshua 3:4 NKJV)
A new season comes with no familiar road map or experience. So, how do we prepare for something we've never done before?
Joshua gave a simple, yet profound, answer: "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you" (Joshua 3:5 NKJV).
As we scramble to perfect our plans, God calls us aside to prepare our hearts.
Here are some approaches that have helped me:
• Position yourself in surrender, humility, and faith.
• Read the Bible with fresh eyes (I return to the Psalms during times of reflection).
• Release regrets, hurts, and offenses. Forgive and receive God's healing (journaling helps).
• Surrender the need for control and trust God's leadership.
• Express your hunger for him.
• Expect the Holy Spirit to move, even when you don't see how everything will unfold.
Trust Him Before You See the Full Picture of the New Season
When God called Abraham, He didn't give him a step-by-step plan. He simply said, "Go to the land I will show you" (see Genesis 12:1).
Similarly, when God leads us into something new, he rarely provides the road map in advance! But the Father's invitation is to trust him before we see the full picture. (Photo via Unsplash)
"[F]or we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV)
Look for Where God Has "Prepared a Table"
A new season does not always come with immediate clarity and confidence. Sometimes, it can feel like a battle as we wrestle with inadequacy, doubt, and exhaustion.
In the spiritual realm, the enemy is resisting our progress. But in that uncertain place of new beginnings, God has already prepared everything we need.
The Lord spoke to me again through this passage recently: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies..." (Psalm 23:5 ESV).
I felt anticipation and joy! But then He added, "There's a table I have laid for you that you will only partake of as you obey me in this."
Suddenly, I had a change of perspective! Though I was reluctant to step into the new, I realized that if I didn't move forward, I would miss out on the portion God had prepared for me.
Naturally, we want feelings of confidence or satisfaction in work well done, or we look to our hearts for a sense of faith. But the feast isn't found in our feelings; these come and go.
The true feast is the Father's delight, as He takes joy in our faltering yet faithful obedience. This feast is in his supply of grace and his Spirit with us. The banquet is in the stories of those impacted and the fruit of lives transformed. The feast is found in the fresh revelation of who Jesus is to us, right now.
We may stumble in the unfamiliar ground of the new, but as we keep moving, God gives us glimpses of what lies ahead.
Embrace Being a "Novice in the New"
We often find ourselves thrust into a new season before we feel ready. There may be a disruption we didn't expect, a door that opens suddenly, or a call that requires immediate obedience.
Like a baby bird pushed out of the nest, we flap awkwardly, finding our wings as we go. In a sense, this never stops; each new opportunity brings a fresh learning curve! (Photo via Unsplash)
And this is powerful:
• You are dependent upon God's grace and power.
• Realizing you don't "have it all together" fosters humility, and that's a good thing!
• Dependence upon God pulls you back to prayer.
You may not have sought change, but it hasn't taken God by surprise.
Realize the Unfamiliar Is Humbling, but It's Where Miracles Happen
A new season often brings challenges. We may have to learn new skills because our old methods are outdated. What if, right now, God is calling you into something beyond your expertise?
This can be unsettling, honestly, and really humbling:
• Maybe we don't have all the answers.
• We face the temptation of picking up something we used to do.
• We feel vulnerable and unprepared.
• Perhaps we are stepping into visibility before we feel ready.
I imagine Peter experienced this when he stepped out of the boat. He started strong, but as soon as he focused on the wind and waves, he sank. Yet Jesus immediately reached for him (Matthew 14:29–31).
Even when we falter, God delights in our obedience. He doesn't expect perfection, he desires faith, and that's where the miracles happen.
Reflection for Your New Season
If you relate to this, here are some questions for reflection:
1. Where is God calling you to trust him in this season?
2. Is there a step of faith you've been hesitating to take?
3. Do you sense him preparing a new path, even if you don't see the full picture?
4. What promise from his Word can you hold on to as you move forward?
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Helen Calder
Enliven Ministries
Email:Â helen@enlivenpublishing.com
Website:Â www.enlivenpublishing.com
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries, in the David McCracken Ministries family. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in the areas of prophetic ministry, discernment and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog, an online prophetic training and mentoring resource that reaches thousands of people globally. Helen and her husband Malcolm are at home in Planetshakers Church, Melbourne, Australia.
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