In the land of Minnesota Nice there are a stock set of greetings we exchange with one another:
- “How’s it goin’?”
- “How are you?”
- “What’s Up?”
- “What’s New?”
Each of these greetings has a stock answer as well:
- “How’s it goin’?” – It’s going
- “How are you?” – Fine
- “What’s Up?” – Not much
- “What’s New?” – Nothing
I want to suggest it is time for a change. Time to mix it up a bit. While I don’t want to upset the balance of Minnesota Nice too far in one day so lets start small. Turning to the book of Lamentations (a book we in Minnesota turn to about this time each year when we hear that Snow is still in the forecast – just for a little inspiration. It’s a book of laments… get it… laments – inspiration….. it’s O.K. just keep reading) we find powerful wisdom to give answer to question four “What’s New?
22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
24 “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.”
Lamentations 3:22-24 (ESV)
I am a post resurrection person who live with the certain knowledge that Jesus lives. That Christ has risen from the dead to give me the victory over sin, death, and Satan. In this knowledge and armed with the Word of God we can give a fresh response to “What’s New?” – “The never ending mercies of God are new today.”
Maybe it’s time to coin a new phrase – from Minnesota Nice – to Minnesota Redeemed!
My prayer is that the powerful message of Christ’s Resurrection would fill me with a new and fresh determination to let Jesus make a daily difference in my life. May I see and give sincere thanks for the abundance mercies of God each day in my life, as I hope and wait in him.
25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
Lamentations 3:25 (ESV)