I have always driven used cars. I could probably afford a new one – but I won’t.  I would never buy a new car for several reasons, but the one that matters most to me is the angst that comes with it. 

You see, when I get something new, I want it to stay new, to smell and to look new and to run like it’s new.  But life just doesn’t work that way, especially when it comes to a car.  A week after you leave the dealer’s lot, there is a ding in the door and a chip in the windshield. 

It’s the second law of thermodynamics.  Things go from order to disorder.  I was running my defroster on one bitter cold day, when right before my eyes, my windshield began to self-destruct.   

The pointless work of trying to preserve the newness of a new car would give me a nervous breakdown.  And I am not the only one. 

I know of a well-to-do man in Arlington Texas who buys a new car every 2-3 years.  When he pulls the car into his garage, he grabs a hammer and puts a deliberate ding in the door.   

He does this with every new car.  Why?  To eliminate the stress of trying to stave off what is inevitable.  The car is going to get dinged sooner or later, so why not eliminate the anxiety up front and enjoy the car.

We relish the new!  We do!  Even with our bodies, we try to preserve what was once new – with creams and nips and tucks, and vitamins and workouts.  However, I still tend to look like my cracked windshield.   

But there is good news ahead.  One day God will wrap up His master plan for this universe.  The Lord revealed the future to John the apostle who recorded it in the book of the Revelation. 

In chapter 21 we find that Jesus had returned to the earth to establish His Kingdom.  He had already rendered judgment on those who had rejected Him.  The new heaven and earth had displaced the old, and divine tissues were wiping away the tears. 

Then we read this, “And the one seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new!” – Revelation 21:5. Jesus, from His throne will one day declare, “I am making all things new!” 

That’s amazing.  There is a time ahead for us when all things will be made new.  The old, worn out, compromised, degraded things of this world (including us) will be made new.  It’s the New Deal.

But that’s not all.  The newness is perpetual.   Let me share a grammar lesson that will make you grin instead of groan.

The verb, “make” is in the present tense.  It is not “have made” or “will make” but “I am in process of making all things new.” 

It is an ongoing endeavor.  So when will He be finished?  How long could it take an omnipotent God to make all things new?  Well, He could do it in the blink of an eye.  Any faster and He would catch up to yesterday. 

So, evidently Jesus promises that this newness, will be in a constant state of renewal.  His almighty creative energy will fuel and sustain it.  Never again will things or people be degraded.

Some of us are concerned that heaven will be boring.  I don’t think so – not if the one in charge promises to continually make all things new. 

This sounds too good to be true doesn’t it.  In fact, I think even John may have wondered, which is why Jesus immediately followed up with these words, He said, “Write it down, because these words are reliable and true.” – Revelation 21:6

He said, “Write it down John, in the book of Revelation.  I want everyone to know this and be encouraged by it.”

And that includes me and you too!

A PRAYER:  It seems that everything in this life is wasting away.  Come Lord, and make all things new. 

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture references are from the NETBible ®