The new year can be a wonderful opportunity to begin afresh. Today we’ll talk about making the most of this year’s new beginnings.
There’s something inspirational about new beginnings, isn’t there? Hopeful, really. No matter what’s come before, new beginnings breathe hope into us.
One new beginning comes each year.
I’ve not always recognized the beauty of the new year. I don’t like the idea of making big plans only to be disappointed in a couple of months when I can’t meet them. How many resolutions can you make before finally giving up?
In recent years, though, my perspective has changed: No matter how hard or disappointing the previous years were, the new year is a fresh opportunity to step forward in hope and progress.
Life is all about evaluating where we’ve gotten it right and where we could do better. In fact, as children of God, we’re in good company. Name pretty much anyone in the Bible—other than Jesus, of course—and you’ll find some major mistakes.
How about Paul? It’s hard to find anything biblically laid to his account. Well, other than the fact that, before his come-to-Jesus moment, he persecuted and murdered new believers.
Okay. Everyone knows Paul started out being feared by the early Christians because of his pre-believer fervor.
What about Abraham? God chose him out of all the people on Earth to be set apart and to be the father of God’s chosen nation. That’s gotta be something, right? Except he lied more than once about his wife—causing unnecessary trouble—and went outside God’s will in fathering a son with his wife’s maid. We all know and still see the consequences of that decision.
Okay. David—whom God himself described as “a man after my own heart.” But he committed adultery, then murder, and tried to hide both until God confronted him through the prophet Nathan.
Moses. He faithfully led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the desert for forty years. And he also committed murder.
Elijah ran scared of Jezebel into the desert—wanting to die—after God rained fire from heaven and gave Elijah the power to kill 450 Baal priests.
Jacob was a liar and manipulator.
Rahab was a prostitute.
Peter emphatically denied knowing Jesus multiple times.
John Mark deserted Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.
Okay. I get it. You can’t really find anyone who’s not messed up.
Isn’t that wonderful, though? There’s a reason we can’t find any “great” in the Bible without some serious flaws: We all have serious flaws, and it’s through Jesus that we are made great.
Yes, we’re in good company. Maybe we haven’t committed murder or adultery, but then sin is sin, right? We have many biblical examples to follow, which include the good and the bad. Definitely not saying we should go out and murder. No. But thanks to the many mistakes of those who came before us, we can remember we’re not alone in those mistakes, our mistakes don’t define us, and our lives can be powerful testimonies of the grace we have through Jesus.
Whatever happened to us last year—whatever we’ve done—let’s step into this new year not with a larger-than-life resolution but with a desire to show up every day and follow Jesus.
In what ways are you starting this new year with hope? Share in the comments below.
Check out these posts for similar reading…
- 5 Simple {Yet Powerful} Verses to Live By This Year from HISsparrowBlog
- 5 Bad Habits I Want to Break This Year from HISsparrowBlog
- Resolutions: Starting the New Year with a Bang from HISsparrowBlog
I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.
Great perspective!
Thank you!
It is encouraging to know that all human beings make a LOT of mistakes, not just me. 🙂 And that Jesus loves us anyway. This is an impressive list of the greats and their weaknesses. Thanks, Ashley!
Nope, it’s not just you or me. Thank you so much for stopping by, Lisa!
I am starting the new year with the hope over my word for the year, “peace, be still” and how it will unfold throughout this year.
That is one of my favorite phrases, Gladys. Thank you for commenting!
Reading about the people in the Bible who were greatly used by God can give us so much hope that He can use us … me! It’s a lifelong effort to fully understand that it’s not really about us but more about our dependence on Him, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing these sweet reminders of that fact.
Yes, excellent point, Donna: it’s not about us but our dependence upon Him. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Such an encouraging post, Ashley! I know I become discouraged when I focus on how I fail the Lord. But that is not what He wants for me! Thank you for this wonderful reminder of new beginnings!
I saw a meme on Facebook this morning that said God isn’t upset that it takes us time. Isn’t it amazing that God loves us right where are? Thank you for commenting!
Your post brought to mind that every day is a fresh start. “The faithful love of the Lord never ends His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT). I am grateful I do not need to wait for a new year as every morning is new 🙂 Thank you for sharing this encouraging post!
So true, Joanne. Each day is a new start. Thank you for commenting!
A very encouraging post today! I enjoyed reading this. You’re right – we’ve all messed up, but somehow the LORD is willing to restore us. Such Good News!!
Yes, what good news! Thanks so much for stopping in!
It’s reassuring to know God designed sanctification to be a process and Jesus promises to complete what He started in us!
It most definitely is reassuring, Debbie. Thank you for stopping by!
Hi. Thank you for the reminder that EVERYONE is human and has flaws, even the “greats” of the Bible. Yes. It is a blessing to know that God knows we have flaws and loves us anyway. God bless.
It’s such a comfort to me sometimes to remember that we have flaws. I’m not the only one! Thank you for sharing today!
Yes! So glad the bible tells us the whole story about a person so we can take hope. Loved what you said: “we can remember we’re not alone in those mistakes, our mistakes don’t define us.” So comforting to know we’re not alone!
That’s an excellent point, Jerralea! The Bible doesn’t just tell us the good people did; it shows us the bad, too. We can learn from both. Thank you for commenting!
Love this, Ashley. His mercies are new for us each day–and each year.
Blessings,
Tammy
Yes! Thanks for stopping in!