Carol Burnett, an American comedian and actress once remarked: “Only I can change my life. No one can do it for me.” 1 Peter 1:3 reminds us: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
One of the definitions of a new beginning is a chance to start afresh, to do something differently, or make a positive change in life. We have recently experienced the birth of another year, a consistently recurring event that takes place each annum. It is a time that may induce a new purpose or perspective where resolutions are often made with good intent, even if they are not sustained. There is a pertinent idiom: “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” They may initially include a wish or determination to lead a healthier life, including perhaps taking more exercise, a better diet, a calmer state of mind, or a host of other possibilities. Matthew 26:41 confirms: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
New beginnings can inspire personal growth. We could experience a new strength and definitive determination, perhaps it is a time to discard the old and welcome the new. A new vision or perspective may be formed that defies darkness and searches for light. A new doorway may be opened that changes the staid limited beliefs of some, and creates new attitudes. Past mistakes may be forgotten and the hope of a good future launches. Isaiah 43:19 reminds us: “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.”
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Perhaps one of the most beneficial changes one could consider at this time of year is the resolve to learn more about God for a better understanding and acceptance. 2 Corinthians 5:1-21 reminds us: “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.
So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling[c] the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
The root of life usually encompasses new beginnings. New beginnings are often a search for the satisfaction of life. They may include seeking new employment, starting a new school, radical changes to an existing life etc. It might be compared to spring when new buds are miraculously formed, or foliage emerges to replace the starkness of barren branches. As each bud or leaf develops, it eventually reaches the state of bloom or fruition where its true glory is revealed. Such is the same with the revelation of God. He may initially be seen as a new flower that grows within us, develops over time until we appreciate His true worth and glory. It is at this point that we experience the true satisfaction of life.
As a young child learns to walk, it takes its first steps in life. They may be rocky or unsteady, they are small and often restricted, the task may appear enormous, but has to be achieved to attain progression. Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese-American writer and poet once remarked: “March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.”
New beginnings are vital to a progressive life. It is only by seeking the new that we can compare the past. It may require adaptation, perhaps reformation and the blossoming of a new person that eradicates the old and strengthens the new. We may experience barriers or obstacles in each new venture undertaken, some may appear as immovable boulders, others as pebbles on a beach, we may suffer drawbacks in our efforts, but with fortitude and determination they can be overcome and a new hope becomes a distinct reality.
To seek is to find, to experience is to learn. John 3:1-5 reminds us: “Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”
Each New Year could be considered the start of a new episode in life. To make that year fruitful and encourage growth, we need to make the most of every opportunity that is considered beneficial to individual goals and aims in life. Romans 14:1-5 reminds us: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.
Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind..”
Amen.
