Holy Mess, Whole Me

This week’s post is a bit shorter than usual, but it is something that really got me to thinking pretty deeply, so I’m excited to share my thoughts.

We’ve all heard the old saying: “There is nothing new under the sun.” Sometimes it’s quoted as a way of shutting down creativity or reminding us that life is repetitive. But recently, on the podcast, “Bibliophage” I heard the host say, “There may be nothing new under the sun, but there are a million ways to examine everything the sun touches.”

That line stopped me in my tracks. Because, you see, I have struggled with the concept that I probalby don’t have anything important or intersting or new worth sharing. I have felt for a long time that no one would really care to read or hear anything that I might want to share.

Because the more I have thought about it, the more I have wondered if maybe the saying is true. For example, we may live with familiar struggles, repeat similar stories, and walk through seasons that echo history. But the way we see, experience, and engage with them can be endlessly fresh.

Think about it:

• The sunrise happens every single day, and yet no two mornings look the same.
• Scripture is unchanging, but every time we return to it, something new meets us for where we are right now.
• Even in relationships, the same conversations and challenges can take on new depth as we grow, mature, and heal.

The reality is, life isn’t about searching for something completely new—it’s about learning to see what’s already here with fresh eyes.

So how do we do that?

1. Practice Curiosity.
Instead of assuming we’ve seen it all before, we can ask: What else could this teach me? What perspective haven’t I noticed yet?

2. Look Through God’s Lens.
Our vision is limited. God’s perspective is eternal. Prayer and scripture invite us to see beyond the surface and into the heart of things.

3. Slow Down Enough to Notice.
So often we miss the richness of life because we’re rushing. But when we pause, we can see details we’ve never noticed before in the “ordinary.”

Closing Encouragement

The sun rises on the same earth every day. Yet there are a million ways to notice its light, its shadows, and the life it touches. Maybe the same is true for us—we don’t need something completely new to find meaning. We just need the courage to look again.