Like each of you, I have had many new beginnings in my life: Times of entering into unknown territory when I lacked knowledge, experience, and sense. Leaving college, a mixture of bravado, excitement and sorrow filled my mind as I cannonballed into life seventeen hundred miles away from anyone who knew or cared about me. Later worry, fear, and even doubt were the driving forces in my mind as I became a husband and father.
But New Years Day was always just another sunrise.
The last time we spoke, we were entering into the season of Thanks and Giving; such is how I refer to the holidays of Thanksgiving and Christmas. At that time, I was encouraging you to reflect on all of the things in your life for which you were grateful. As important as reflecting on such things in, I have to say, that it has been rarely the case when I have spent much time reflecting on the previous year before cannonballing into the next. Maybe you have been like that too – you see the dawning of a New Year as just another sunset and sunrise punctuated by a barrage of fireworks.
Perhaps its time for a change.
Perhaps its time for a more thoughtful and reflective entrance into not only the New Year but into each new day and season of our lives as well. There is, after all, an unknown element to each day, many in fact, and the course of life as we have known it can change in an instant. Life on this planet is a series of new beginnings and ever-changing seasons.
The Bible offers us good counsel as to the best way to transition from one season to the next. God’s words to Joshua in Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) are helpful: “Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed.” These words were spoken five times concerning Joshua and they were empowering words; he was to be strong and courageous because the thing which God had called him to would not be left to Joshua to do alone. God’s promises, God’s power, and God’s presence would encourage the man through whatever life would throw at him as a leader.
Whether you’re a single parent, a widow or widower, a husband, or a wife – whatever season of life you’re in, as He was with Joshua so God will be with you by faith in His Son Jesus Christ.
Well, I’m sure that I’ve already gotten a little too preachy, but that is what I do. That said, may I offer you a few last words for this new year?
As you journey into the unknowns and uncertainties of a new beginning:
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.” (Psalm 37:3–8, NKJV)
The best new beginning is new life in the Son of God – Jesus Christ! If you’d like to talk about that, give me a call at the church. I’d love to visit with you!
We’ll talk again soon!
Brother Rich
