[Nevertheless] There Are New Beginnings

We all have differences - we look differently, have different things, do things differently from one another, and look at things in different ways. Some people prefer waffles over pancakes; some insist on the toilet paper being underneath instead of on top; and others think cheesecake is pie, not cake. Think about the last one - you may come to some shocking conclusions.

At Tuesday Night Sunday School at our church, I taught a lesson entitled New Beginnings Are Greater Than the Past. We talked about how, despite our differences, we are in the same boat in our belief that Jesus died for everyone. He included everyone in his death so that everyone could also be included in his life - a resurrection life, a far better life than people ever lived on their own.

God gave us a new beginning - and he does so over and over - and he wants us to do the same. At the center of it all is forgiveness. Jesus died so that our sins would be forgiven. Often, we walk away from God - many times without even knowing it. We make bad decisions, we hold grudges, we do what we know is wrong. Over and over, God’s grace calls us back. We are forgiven. And we are called to do the same. We are called not only to accept the new beginnings God gives us, but to offer forgiveness and new beginnings to others. We all have different experiences in our lives - some good, some bad, nevertheless, God uses all experiences for good, often providing new beginnings for us in the process.

This year started with new beginnings in my life. My husband and I are breathing new life into our marriage after going through a very rough 2018. Our church just called a new pastor, and we are eagerly anticipating her arrival. 

The new beginning at our church comes after the retirement of our pastor of over twenty-three years. It's not been an easy transition in many ways, but we've learned and grown together over the past year and a half. God has used our time of transition for good - helping us flourish as the Body of Christ. 

The new beginning in my marriage comes after a stark reminder of what we want our marriage to be rather than what it had become. Consumed with our own fears, our own guilt, we found ourselves walking life's path together, yet separately. Existing together, instead of thriving together. Nevertheless, God provided sermons that were just what we needed to hear, this new beginnings lesson that I needed to learn myself before teaching it to others, and put so many people, words, and experiences in our path so this difficult time could be used for so much good.

I look forward with excitement for what this year holds!