Starting New Traditions

Pro New Ways

Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Tradition. It connects us to our roots and reminds us who we are. But when tradition exists for its own sake, at best it becomes cold and meaningless and just something we do because we have always done it; at worst it becomes little less than an idol, the focus of our devotion and fidelity.

When it came time to name John (the Baptizer) his parents called together friends and family for the naming ceremony. This is a very important event in Jewish life. The child’s family, religious, and community identity is established. Equally important is the name itself. It is tradition that a son is named after a family member to keep the name alive. Zechariah and Elizabeth were advanced in years. They were probably not going to have more children – this son was a miracle. Surely he would be named after his father. But,

When it was time for Elizabeth’s baby to be born, she gave birth to a son. And when her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had been very merciful to her, everyone rejoiced with her. When the baby was eight days old, they all came for the circumcision ceremony. They wanted to name him Zechariah, after his father. But Elizabeth said, “No! His name is John!”

“What?” they exclaimed. “There is no one in all your family by that name.” So they used gestures to ask the baby’s father what he wanted to name him. He motioned for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s surprise he wrote, “His name is John.” Instantly Zechariah could speak again, and he began praising God.

Awe fell upon the whole neighborhood, and the news of what had happened spread throughout the Judean hills. Everyone who heard about it reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way. Luke 1:57-66

At the moment Zechariah broke with tradition and obeyed what God had told him, he was miraculously healed. His mouth that had been “shut up” months before when he questioned God’s intentions now is loosed again, and result was everyone’s astonishment and wonder. That’s what happens when we do “new things” in God’s name. People wake up and take notice. A ritual becomes fresh and full of meaning. Anticipation and excitement replace normalcy and tradition. People begin to look for and talk about what God is doing.

I love this little story. It is often over looked, tucked in-between accounts of Jesus’ conception and birth. John’s life mission was to prepare the way for the Messiah, he was the forerunner of something new coming. Of course God would choose to shake things up, grab people’s attention! Too often we grow comfortable and complacent in the way “the church” does things. From music to missions, congregation to ceremony, ministry to membership we often grow so attached to the “way things have always been done” we miss seeing and experiencing the new things God is purposing in our midst. “If it’s not broke don’t fix it” drowns out the possibility of “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”

Perhaps we should occasionally emulate Zechariah and spend a season staying quiet, observing what God is doing in and among us, so we can respond in true obedience. Obedience to God, not to tradition or the expectations of others, but to what God has shown us. We may be amazed at the healing and testimony that results.

Let's DO something about it:

Traditions serve an important part in our history and culture. They remind us who we are and give us connection with our past. But they can also prohibit us from growing and prevent us from fully engaging in God’s “new things.” They can also cause us to become exclusive and narrow-minded. The key is to find a healthy balance between celebrating traditions while keeping an open mind and heart to new expressions of what those traditions represent.

• Hebrews 4:12 says, “the word of God is living and active”. The opposite of living and active is dead and stagnant. Consider the impact of these descriptors. Consider ways you can keep the expression of your faith in your church, work, family, attitudes, words, and life alive and active.
• Think about some of the “traditional ways” you are particularly holding on to: in your relationships, your attitudes, your family, work or church. Consider if these practices are enhancing your experiences or keeping you from growing or experiencing new grace and blessing. Consider how and where you can make appropriate adjustments.
• Think about some of the traditions of other families, cultures, or churches that you are aware of – especially those you might tend to “automatically reject.” What is the basis of your rejection? Consider how you could better understand or adapt those practices into actually glorifying Christ as a way of reaching out to others.