God is Creating – Pay Close Attention Now!

A Reflection for March 3 by Rev. Dr. Cynthia P. Stewart 

Lectionary Readings: Psalm 128; Isaiah 65:17-25; Romans 4:6-13

Selected passage for today’s reflection: Isaiah 65:17-25

Isaiah 65:17-25 – The Message Bible 

“Pay close attention now:

   I’m creating new heavens and a new earth.

All the earlier troubles, chaos, and pain

    are things of the past, to be forgotten.

Look ahead with joy.

    Anticipate what I’m creating:

I’ll create Jerusalem as sheer joy,

    create my people as pure delight.

I’ll take joy in Jerusalem,

    take delight in my people:

No more sounds of weeping in the city,

    no cries of anguish;

No more babies dying in the cradle,

    or old people who don’t enjoy a full lifetime;

One-hundredth birthdays will be considered normal—

    anything less will seem like a cheat.

They’ll build houses

    and move in.

They’ll plant fields

    and eat what they grow.

No more building a house

    that some outsider takes over,

No more planting fields

    that some enemy confiscates,

For my people will be as long-lived as trees,

    my chosen ones will have satisfaction in their work.

They won’t work and have nothing come of it,

    they won’t have children snatched out from under them.

For they themselves are plantings blessed by God,

    with their children and grandchildren likewise God-blessed.

Before they call out, I’ll answer.

Reflection

I was visiting the Art Institute of Chicago this past weekend, and these two images stood out the most as I began to reflect on Lent and the scripture for today. Take a moment to look at the two pictures and write down words or thoughts that come to mind.  What resonates with you during this second week of Lent? 

Now, read the passage and notice how Isaiah has a vision of what the world can look like, starting with “Pay close attention now.” This is the purpose of Lent: to take the time to stop, reflect, spend time with God, pay close attention, and listen to what God is saying.”  

Begin to ponder things of the past that you may not have let go of and given to God. Consider why you are holding on. Isaiah is telling us that once we let go of the past and allow forgiveness to take hold in our hearts, we will experience joy and see the new things God is creating. 

Look at the list of Isaiah’s vision: no more weeping, anguish, no more premature death of babies, elders will live a long life, home ownership, planting of food that you can grow and eat, work satisfaction, blessed children and grandchildren, and God hearing and answering prayers. These are probably things we have not taken the time to reflect on, but now, during this Lenten season, you have the opportunity to reflect. 

Respond

Now that you have seen Isaiah’s list, what will you add for yourself for the vision you are seeking during this Lenten season? What is the joy you have been longing to experience? 

Take another look at the photos and write your thoughts in comparison to what you wrote in the beginning of the reflection. What now resonates with you, and what do you believe God is speaking? 

Rest

God, as we reflect today during this Lenten season, may we feel your presence and allow the peace of God to encamp around us. Continue to give us the strength to seek your face daily and to hear the still small voice of your Holy Spirit leading and guiding us. Bless us through this journey, and may we feel sheer joy in our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen

About the Author

Rev. Dr. Cyntia P. Stewart is a minister at New Life Covenant Church Southeast in Chicago, IL. She has been leading a women's 5am prayer call each Wednesday since 2018. She works at Illinois Institute of Technology and is adjunct faculty at Loyola University Chicago. Her passion is to expose students to the diversity of Chicago neighborhoods, because experiential learning prepares them for life after college.