Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. … I heard a shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!”

— Revelations 21:1-5

As I walked out of the store carrying my brand-new sport coat, I was pretty excited.

We don’t do new very often. It fit just right. The color was spot-on for the occasion at hand.

My first daughter was about to get married. All kinds of new emotions filled my heart as we prayed and planned for the big day.

And now, all those new emotions inside would be covered by a new coat on the outside.

The pictures from that day revealed a radiant bride and an emotional dad.

A new family was birthed. All that had been was no more. The new had come.

As John listened to and watched everything that was going on around him, he just kept saying “new.”

As he recorded God’s words, God kept saying “new,” too.

Here, at the end of God’s written revelation, the central theme is “new.”

For all who have placed their trust in Christ, the joy that lies ahead is rooted in the reality that God is “making everything new.”

All that has been twisted by sin will be twisted no more. Life will never again be interrupted by death. No distance will ever exist again between God and his people.

There are many reasons why this message of newness was given to those still in the here and now, including us.

God’s heart is for all of us to enter into his newness.

The most important question we all need to ask ourselves is, “Is our name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?”

Another reason this message is important for us now is the reality that life is tough, particularly so for those who want to follow Jesus in the same world that crucified him.

We need to be reminded repeatedly that this world is not the end of the story. Be strong and courageous today.

The new is coming!

Take your choice

Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all we are close relatives! The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land to the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

— Genesis 13:8-9

A familiar conversation takes place each time my wife and I decide to go out for dinner.

“I don’t know. Where do you want to go?

“Wherever is fine. Where do you want to go?”

Perhaps that sounds familiar to you?

Eventually, we’ll land the plane and all is well.

However, there are times when we both have a very strong and a very different opinion about a decision that needs to be made.

Things start to get a little dicey really quickly.

So, now what? Great question.

Abram and his nephew Lot found themselves in just such a predicament.

Both of their herdsmen wanted the same fields for the animals. This reality led to fighting with each other. Not good. Not good at all.

So, now what?

Abram, the older one, was entitled to his preference. He didn’t push his position.

Instead, he chose humility. He gave deference to his younger nephew, Lot.

Why would he do that?

“We are close relatives!” he said.

In Abram’s mind, the relationship superseded the better pastureland and the expanding wealth it would potentially provide by ever-expanding flocks.

Too often, we trade relationships for that which in comparison is of far less value.

Money, possessions and properties have decimated countless families.

Pride and self-centeredness have shredded one marriage after another.

In every organization where people have refused the path of humility, dysfunction and division have run rampant.

The world we live in pushes us to demand our way. If anyone dare offer a different perspective, we must run them over.

It’s easy to lose sight of the example of Jesus, the Son of God, who knelt and washed feet, even the feet of the one who would betray him.

Wiles is senior minister of Fall Creek Christian Church in Pendleton. He can be reached at 765-778-3166.