New Beginnings by Becky Dietz

New beginnings.  Don't we all love them?  It's a fresh start.  A do-over.  Another chance.  It's the promise that things can be different.

But a new beginning also suggests you know how to break out of the old patterns.  And some people lose their way.  For instance, one of my son's friends came to Andy & I with deep grief.  He'd lost his way.  He had entered a profession that was fast-paced and came with lots of temptations.  And he'd succumbed to those temptations.  He'd become a prodigal and he didn't know how to find his way back home.  I think it was the first time I realized how badly the enemy deceives us when we lose our way.  We sat with him, cried with him, put our arms around him and showed him all it takes is asking God to forgive us to find our way home.  He confessed his sin to God, asked for forgiveness and a ton of weight fell off of our friend that day!  He was safely back in the Father's arms.  Of course, then he had to learn how to forgive himself and close the doors to those temptations---and run towards God!!

A new beginning can be just for you.  You may have lost your way.  Or you may have been wounded by those around you.  Both situations require forgiveness.  Asking God to forgive you...and forgiving others.  I long for that weight to fall off of your shoulders today.  It may not be easy...but it's simple.  Ask God to forgive you for anything standing between you and Him--anything hindering your relationship.  And then choose to forgive others.  They may have wounded you deeply, accused you, or tried to ruin your reputation publicly.  To carry unforgiveness not only hinders your relationship with that person, but it will affect your relationship with God.  And not only will it affect those relationships, it will affect you mentally, spiritually, emotionally and physically.  I'm convinced it becomes a cancer that eats at us.

A new beginning can be for your church.  As the leaders of your church, you can encourage and help your members to start over by seeking forgiveness from God and one another. Of course, we know the Spirit of God will have to be involved for the whole church to be affected.  It's easy when we can choose for ourselves our own outcome.  But we can't force it on others.  I'm convinced that when we become honest, open, transparent and lead by example...it can affect an entire church.  And we should pray that way!  We need to be asking God to redeem us, restore us, to give us a new beginning. It may not happen all at once.  But slowly...step by step...restoration can take place.  And it's a beautiful thing to see!

Let's pray for new beginnings...for ourselves and our churches.  I know nothing would bless the heart of God more than to see His children walking together with Him in unity.

May your year be blessed with New Beginnings!