It was many years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. We had moved to the mountains and my wife and I were many miles from any of our immediate family. It was one of those special holidays, like Christmas, and we were about to have our main meal. We had been used to eating at my parent's or her parent's home on these occasions, and enjoyed a special meal each time. To my surprise and shock, my wife served fish sticks. Little sticks of fish with batter around them warmed up in the oven — you know, the kind of thing you eat when you can't think of anything else to eat and you don't have much money. Plain ol' fish sticks was not my idea of a Christmas meal. I'm sorry. I may be a bit spoiled on holidays, but I was pretty disappointed with plain ol' warm and serve fish sticks!

The next year we had a big turkey with all the trimmings. We had dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce and pie. That was more like it ... something special. Then, two years ago, my wife decided to cook duck. I thought, "That's pretty neat, something different, and special." It was really good. This year we had goose. It was also really good. My wife had never cooked duck or goose before, but wasn't afraid to try. Both turned out really well.

Then there was another special time! It was the first time she fixed bear meat. She had never done that before either. It was delicious. Her secret ingredient, according to her confession, was Mongolian Fire Oil. All I know was that it tasted great and was a special treat!

Are you afraid to try new things? What have you done in the last couple years that you've never done before? Did you know this idea of doing "new" things is in the Bible? God's psalmist said it this way:

He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:3 NKJV)

The great prophet spoke for God when he said:

Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)

It's always a little scary!
In my many years of ministry, I can't tell you how many times I've stepped out to do something I've never done. It's always a little scary, but it also makes you depend upon God and pray for His guidance and leading. He gets all the glory when things turn out well and you get to go along for the special adventure.

Aren't you glad God gave us the "new" covenant and calls us a "new" creation and one day we'll be in "new" Jerusalem and enjoy a "new" heavens and a "new" earth.

Don't get stuck in your own rut. Don't just settle for what is easy, comfortable, and familiar to you. I'm willing to bet that God is calling you to something new. Don't just settle for plain ol' fish sticks when God is calling you to something new and special and great!