Beginnings

Shelley | Posted on January 5, 2023 |

Here we are at the beginning of another year. Beginnings start with a blank slate. For the artist, a new, clean canvas awaits him in the studio. He walks in with an idea, picks up a brush, chooses a color, and commences to paint what he has envisioned.

With the first stroke, the canvas is forever changed.

The Bible tells us: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters” (Genesis 1-2). The Master Creator spoke and something new came into being. First there was light that dispelled darkness; then came plants, birds, animals, and humans. But that wasn’t the last “beginning.” God is always creating something new and that is what he desires to do in us as well. He wants to restore what is broken in our lives and set us on a different trajectory, following in Jesus’ footsteps.

Further, God gives us the opportunity to start every day fresh. “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning…” (Lamentations 3:22-23). What better time than a new year to reset?

At the start of each year, we sit down with a calendar that has nothing entered in it. Do we prayerfully consider the first entries? Do we care what God has to say about our schedules? Maybe He wants to do something new with our time, such as adding service to Him that has been lacking by opening up some hours that have previously been filled with activities that are not pleasing to Him or the best for us. Perhaps He would have us visit or call someone we have been avoiding in order to foster reconciliation. He might want us to share our time and talent with the church so that the whole body is helped. On the other hand, for some of us, busyness has taken over our schedules and God is whispering, “what about time for Me?”

Knowing God wants to work in our lives to do something new, let’s resolve to make 2023 the year we truly put Him first before any other plans or resolutions. Resolve is “to make a firm decision about” and a decision involves determination. These words indicate serious consideration and a turning in the direction of our choices. Let’s say with the obedient servant in Isaiah 50, “The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame” (Is. 50:5,7).

Happy New Year!