I have been reminding myself a lot lately that “I can do this.” While there are days I want to take a long getaway from the routine, I also know I might need to stay. Stay in the season, I hear the Holy Spirit prompting me.

Even so, my heart hopes at the thought of something new. The new year always brings that fresh-start feeling, and perhaps makes us think everything will be new. The truth is, we’re still dealing with the same things and the same routines that structure our days.

But maybe, there is plenty of newness waiting right where we are, woven into what we already do.

We don’t have to overhaul our lives to discover something new. Sometimes, the fresh can be discovered in our everyday routines. I realized that all I needed to do was pray and ask God to make the ordinary moments new.

Here is what I am doing to stay in my present season, and it is really simple.

Pray.

I leave early in the morning for the gym. Maybe I have some friends who do this, too. I have found myself dragging myself out of bed and thinking, Can I just stop going? Of course, I have full liberty to decide not to go, but I knew I wanted to stay the course.

Maybe you have a simple routine that could use a gentle adjustment. You know you are meant to stay, but perhaps, like me, you are searching for a way to invite something new in.

On those early drives, instead of letting my mind drift, I decided to make things new by praying. Just this small shift has brought a lightness to my ordinary routine. I still crave cozy mornings with coffee, but choosing to remember on the early drive, “I can do this,” and talking to Jesus rather than letting my thoughts wander has made a difference.

Sometimes we want to stop, but what if Jesus wants you to keep going?

There are so many times I want to stop writing, and then, within days of each other, I receive an encouraging text from a friend and a card in the mail from another friend.

Whatever it is, even if it is as simple as what I am sharing about leaving early to go to the gym or writing,

The more I stay in His presence, the more I confidently know that yes, I can do this, and I can do this in joy. Seeking God in prayer, I can ask Him to help me stay present in the season.

In Luke 24, two disciples walk a long distance, feeling discouraged after hearing that the tomb is empty. While they walk, they meet Jesus.

Can you imagine living in that time and leaving the tomb sad, but running right into Jesus along your walk? Had they realized it was Jesus, their sadness would have turned to joy. However, they didn’t realize it was Jesus when they encountered him.

They shared with Him that what they hoped for didn’t happen.

Have you ever been there? Have you ever held on to hope, only to see what you wanted not come to pass?

The disciples welcomed Jesus to stay, still not realizing it was Jesus. Only as they came together for communion did the truth dawn on them, and their sorrow turned into joy.

Can you imagine their expressions of pure joy when they realized what they had hoped for had come to pass, and they were seeing hope abounding face to face, right then and there?

No matter what life brings or what I am hoping for that may not come to pass, I want to stay in His presence. When I long for something new, I want to stay in hope.

Stay in the season. Stay in His presence.

“And behold, I am sending the promise of the my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49 ESV)

What Jesus says to his disciples is a beautiful prompting for us to stay in the season, in the season of His continual presence.

Stay in the city.

Jesus instructed His disciples to stay in Jerusalem until they had received the Holy Spirit. They would stay to experience the resurrection of Jesus.

Stay in the season. Stay in His presence through it all so that you will be clothed with His strength and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

In the mundane and ordinary routines, stay until you are clothed with renewal.

On the road to decision, stay in His presence. Stay until the Holy Spirit gives you wisdom to know which way to go.

As Jesus told His disciples, let’ stay in the city until we are clothed with power on high.

What are some things you know will remain in this season, and what is something new you could try to bring in?

Do not give up, friend. Keep reminding yourself: you can do this. It is not your strength that carries you, but His strength that helps you press on.