New Season, Same Hope

The Word in the Wings

The Word in the Wings > New Season, Same Hope

By: Jessica Noonan

I am filled with excitement as the end of summer gives way to the beautiful season of fall. It’s a time of new beginnings and fresh starts, a chance to do things differently and better. September brings a wave of change – a new school year, a new GPA season, a new church bible study, and a new schedule of after-school activities for my children. And let’s not forget the brand new pumpkin candle waiting to be lit, symbolizing the cozy ambiance of the season.

But amidst the excitement, there’s also a sense of intimidation and fear. Change can bring about anxiety and stress, even as we anticipate the new experiences and opportunities. In my own life, there are significant changes taking place. I am stepping into a new role at GPA, while my husband embarks on a new job with a different company. My children have new teachers and classmates, marking a shift from the familiar. It’s a season of adjustment and things feel different.

Yet, as children of God, we can find comfort in His truths. Our eyes have been opened to His hope, truth, and light, and that transforms the way we live. We are forever changed. Jesus teaches us this through a powerful illustration in Luke 5:36-49:

36“No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment. 37 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. 38 New wine must be stored in new wineskins. 39 But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.”

"He emphasizes that he didn't come to simply patch up the old ways..."

He emphasizes that He didn’t come to simply patch up the old ways; He brought something entirely new – forgiveness of sin, salvation, grace, and mercy. When we declare Christ as the Lord of our lives, we become new creations. The old ways no longer satisfy us.

However, this doesn’t mean that we should always be happy or immune to fear, stress, and anxiety. We are all human, and these emotions affect us all. Embracing new things can be scary, and some may choose to cling to the comfort of the old ways. So, how do we respond when Christ calls us to leave behind the old ways and follow Him? And how can we use this new way of living to combat stress and anxiety?

In Ephesians 4:20-24, Paul reminds us of who we are in Christ. We are called to put away our former way of life, our old selves corrupted, and be renewed in the spirit of our minds. We are to clothe ourselves with the new self, created in the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness. This means embracing the transformation that comes with following Christ, allowing His truth to guide our thoughts and actions. It means recognizing that the old ways no longer define us and seeking His strength to navigate the challenges and uncertainties that come with change.

So, as we enter this season of new beginnings, let us embrace the fresh start that fall brings. Let us trust in God’s promises and find comfort in His truths. And may we have the courage to leave behind the old ways, knowing that in Christ, we are made new.

Exciting Upcoming GPA events to help combat stress and anxiety:

–August 24th Aleksa Lawry (Corps De Ballet) will be performing in a special Service of Surrender at Grace Church in Wallingford, PA. A service of surrender or lament service is a:

“time to reflect, become aware of God’s presence, how He is working in us, bring our pain to God, and invite Him to begin (and continue) healing us. It is a process for trusting God with our pain instead of turning to other, inferior ways of coping”.

Additional Service of Surrender Information

–September 21st we are delighted to partner with Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA to offer a restful afternoon with Christ- centered solutions to stress and anxiety. Retreatants will:

Learn how to leverage musical worship to combat stress and worry led by GPA’s Jessica Noonan
Receive guidance through a Christian meditation to

access peace + presence led by Jessica Hildebrand; Meditation Teacher and Writer

Experience an expert lecture by Christine Fauci-Wittman, LPC, NBCC on navigating anxious thoughts

Obtain take-home tips for carrying these practices forward into their days

Enjoy a special dance performance by “Glorify Performing Arts”

Scripture quoted is from the New Living Translation.

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