Great Beginnings

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

Great Beginnings 

As the year draws to a close and a new year dawns resolutions are prepared to transcend the bridge from an old path to a new beginning. There is something cleansing about the beginning of a new year. Views of yesterday are measured with success and failure, hopes attained and dreams forgotten. A new spirit of determination is made to be a better person and to overcome the challenges faced in the past year. This disposition is built upon the strength of will and desires to admit the frailties of previous resolutions and the resolute heart to settle in concrete the changes for tomorrow. Through the grace of God we are permitted each day to have a new beginning. The dawning of each sunrise is the promise of an unwritten page yet marred by the hand of man. Let us reflect upon what God says about new beginnings. 

The greatest beginning was when the world was formed by the hand of God (Genesis 1-2). From a world dark and without form the Creator began His work of transformation to the magnificent world we see today. “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech and night unto night reveals knowledge” (Psalms 19:1-2). The new year can be a time of new creation with the hand of God guided our world and creating in us a new spirit, a new love, a new hope and a new realization of His grace. If God can make the world to be such a beautiful place from something without form then he can take my life in the new year and transform it to His image. 

Three times in scripture the Holy Spirit scribes these words: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (knowledge)” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10).  A good beginning is to understand our relationship with the Lord. The Psalmist tells us to “do His commandments” (Psalm 111:10) and this will bring blessings in the new year. Fearing the Lord will help us see how important the word of God is in our lives in the new year. If we try to mold our lives without God we are foolish (“but fools despise wisdom and instruction” – Proverbs 1:7). “The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). This new year must be filled with the word of God. A daily meditation on His word is our daily manna to sustain us. Begin today to spend time in God’s word. 

One final beginning to think of in this new year. "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son” (Revelation 21:6-7). The Lord is not bound by years. He was before time and will be after time. He is the completeness of all things as the Alpha and the Omega. Through His power He can offer the fountain of life and the promise of salvation to all who would come to the fountain. As this new year spreads its wings upon the sands of time we can know for true that the promise of eternal life is granted to all those who will fear Him, obey Him, keep His commandments and make this new year a time for God in every way. Thank you Lord for this new beginning.