All Things New

I heard this song (by Steven Curtis Chapman) first in the United States and thought it was okay, not great. Until recently, my view of God "making all things new" was pretty limited, thinking of a changed heart and a life given over to Christ, which is obviously significant... but...

Now that we're living here, though, my view of making "all things new" has expanded... as now I see all of the needs around me (emotional, physical, mental) as spiritual needs. The broken systems, broken families, broken children who are hungry, broken churches, broken environment full of trash and needles... are all things that God cares so deeply about and desires to see these things "made new" as well. Not only here in the DR, but everywhere in the world. Everyday, I'm praying that God uses me to help Him "redeem, restore, renew, transform" His people, His churches, His planet, His Kingdom.

Revelation 21:3-5 - I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone." The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate." (The Message)

You spoke and made the sunrise, to light up the very first day
You breathed across the water, and started the very first wave
It was You
You intoduced Your glory, to every living creature on earth
And they started singing, the first song to ever be heard
They sang for You

You make all things new
You make all things new

Then the world was broken, fallen and battered and scarred
You took the hopeless, the life, wasted, ruined and marred
And made it new You make all things new
You make all things new
You redeem and You transform
You renew and You restore
You make all things new You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You

You turn winter into spring You take every living thing
And You breathe Your breath of life into it over and over again
You made the sunrise, day after day after day
But there's a morning coming, when old things will all pass away
And everyone will see You make all things new

You make all things new
Come redeem and come transform
Come renew and come restore
You make all things new
You make all things new
And forever we will watch and worship You
Now and forever
You are making all things new
You're making all things new
Hallelujah...