New Beginnings
By George Stroh
December 28, 2011
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We are about to begin another new year. It is a time to archive the successes and failures of the past year, make our new year resolutions and embrace the future.
I like new beginnings... The first day of the year, the first day of the new school year, starting a new book, a new season, a new day, even the first hole on the golf course. There is something cathartic about forgetting the past and starting over. Not that we should just totally forget the past. We can and should learn from both our past successes and failures, both our past joys and sorrows. But the hope and potential of a new beginning, combined with the passing of time, has a way of putting the past in proper perspective.
Of course most of my new year resolutions are usually broken by February. By the middle of the first semester of school I was usually back to struggling to keep up academically and socially. And when I played golf, by the third hole I was usually already 5 strokes over par, even with a "mulligan" (a new beginning) on the first hole!
But praise God! As a new creature in Christ Jesus; the old things passed away; new things have come. Because of His amazing grace, mercy and love, all of my sins are forgiven and each day is a new beginning in Him; This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope. The Lord's lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:21-23)
If you are a new creature in Christ, one who has trusted in the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then all past, present and future sins are forgiven in Him. Every day is a new beginning for you! Your plans and your new year resolutions may still fail. Life may be even harder this year. But because you are a new creature in Christ, you always have a new beginning and your future is beyond amazing.
Just as He promised Israel, the Lord has made promises to all of His children; "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."(Jeremiah 29:11) The Lord has given you a new beginning, an amazing future that will far exceed all of your hopes and dreams. Have a blessed New Year in Him! Maranatha!
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