Isaiah 43:19 declares, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." This promise reveals the life-giving nature of God, who longs to transform the impossible into the possible. It is a declaration echoing throughout time, reaching us today and reminding us, God’s work of renewal is longing to spring up.
God’s work of renewal challenges us to open our eyes to movement in unexpected places. Throughout history, God has demonstrated an ability to work in the most desolate circumstances. Consider the dry and weary places in Scripture: the wilderness where the Israelites wandered, the Valley of Dry Bones in Ezekiel’s vision, the manger in Bethlehem, and the tomb Jesus was buried in. These were places seemingly devoid of hope, yet they became the backdrop for God’s transformative power.
Today, within The Wesleyan Church, there are countless stories of new life springing up in forgotten or neglected spaces.
Churches have been planted in urban centers where poverty and violence seemed insurmountable. Congregations have stepped into ministry among displaced immigrants and refugees, creating communities of healing and hope. Individuals and teams have answered the call to start churches in prisons, bringing the light of Christ to those who feel abandoned by society. One cluster of Wesleyan churches, in partnership with the Northeast District and the Recovery Church Movement (www.Recovery.church) recently came together to plant a new Recovery Church, focused on evangelism and disciple-making within the addiction recovery community. Plus, hundreds of Wesleyan churches have forged global ministry partnerships, reaching people groups living without access to the gospel.
These testimonies remind us that what may seem like a wasteland can become a stream of living water!
Listening, looking and responding to God's call
To participate in the new thing God is doing, we must first intentionally listen for God’s voice — creating space for prayer, immersing ourselves in Scripture and seeking counsel within the body of Christ. Like the prophet Elijah, who found God not in the wind, earthquake or fire but in a gentle whisper, we must remain attentive to the subtle yet profound ways God reveals himself.
However, listening is only the beginning. We are also called to look for Acts 1:8 movement opportunities. This requires a posture of expectancy and curiosity. God often works in ways defying human logic, and we must resist the temptation to limit God’s possibilities based on our limited understanding. It is in these moments of intentional observation that we begin to discern where God is at work.
Finally, respond to God’s call with courage and faith. When we step into the places God leads us, we may face uncertainty or opposition. Yet, it is in these acts of obedience that we become receptacles of God’s transformative power. As Isaiah 6:8 reminds us, regardless of the pressure around us, our response should simply be, “Here am I. Send me!”
Inhabiting the impossible
The call to inhabit the impossible is not for the faint of heart. It requires a willingness to step into places others have abandoned, to embrace people whom society has marginalized and to confront challenges seemingly insurmountable. These are precisely the spaces where God’s power is most evident. Here are several practical ways to begin reaching the hard places:
- Assess the need: Start by identifying the areas in your community that feel overlooked or neglected. These could be neighborhoods struggling with poverty, populations marginalized by society or spaces plagued by spiritual dryness. Conduct surveys, engage with local leaders and spend time observing and praying over these places. The Wesleyan Church currently provides a demographic research tool any church can access at Wesleyan.org/missioninsite.
- Build relationships: Transformation starts with connection and trust. Invest time in building genuine relationships with the people you feel called to serve. Listen to their stories, understand their needs and show you care.
- Address practical needs: Often, the first step toward spiritual renewal is meeting tangible needs. This might involve organizing food drives, offering educational support, providing mentors for kids and teens or addressing health concerns. Demonstrating God’s love through action opens doors for deeper conversations about faith.
- Be present and consistent: Ministry in hard places requires a long-term commitment. Be prepared to remain present even when progress seems slow or challenges arise. Consistency builds credibility and creates opportunities for sustained impact.
- Equip and empower others: Ministry is not a solo effort. Raise up local leaders, engage marketplace multipliers, empower community members and involve your entire church in the work. By equipping others, the gospel impact will inevitably multiply.
- Pray without ceasing: Finally, cover the work in prayer. Seek God’s guidance, protection and provision as you step into hard places. Trust that God’s power is made perfect in your weakness.
A vision for the future
As we reflect on Isaiah 43:16-21 and the theme of “A New Thing Springing Up,” we must ask ourselves: What new thing is God calling us to? Where are the dry and weary places in our communities and how might we inhabit them with the hope of Christ? How can we, as the body of Christ, partner with God?
The Wesleyan Church has a rich history of stepping into the margins, from advocating for abolition to championing holiness and justice. This legacy calls us to continue seeking out the places where God’s light is needed most. It calls us to listen for God’s voice, look for an Acts 1:8 movement and respond with faith and obedience.
As we move forward in this season of renewal, let us commit to being a people who embrace the unexpected. Let us be willing to step into the unknown, trusting God is already at work, so others may see and know the transforming power of Jesus Christ. For indeed, God is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland!
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