New Beginnings - Pt. 6

Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:16-19 ESV).

 

Glenn McCoy’s cartoon has a lot of truth hidden in its humor. There is a constant pull in us between the nostalgia of the past and the excitement of the new. There’s certainly no better illustration of this than the children as they open presents at Christmas or on their birthday. The “new” is the root of their excitement. We do the same as we age, We get excited about new clothing, a new vehicle, or even the fresh smell of new carpet in our home. Yes, we like new things. The danger in this tension between old and new is the possibility of getting stuck on one end of the spectrum or the other. Some of us may have a nostalgic hope that we can recover the “good old days,” and others of us may be locked face to face with a past we can’t escape.

 

Maybe we feel stuck by the circumstances of a broken home, or of sins we now regret, or of injustice that has been done to us. Though Christians do not ignore the past, faith in Christ always challenges us to look forward. Our goal is not “change for the sake of change,” as if new things by themselves could give us hope and fulfillment. But Isaiah reminds us of the only One who brings lasting change: “I am doing a new thing!” God says.

 

We can find joy in forgetting our past only when our future rests on the change Christ works in us. Because of the cross, we can experience the joy of forgetting our sinful past (cf. Philippians 3:13-14) and pressing on as new people in Jesus Christ. Strive for that balance within the grace of God through Christ this year.

  

New Beginnings - Pt. 5

 

On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now there were six stone water jars there for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So, they took it. When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. (John 2:1-11 ESV).

 

Jesus’ first miracle has often grabbed my attention because it seems unnecessary from a purely human point of view. Yes, we can understand that Jesus saved the wedding host from embarrassment, especially in a culture that was concerned about providing the best possible hospitality. But this miracle reveals that Jesus came not only to help us with our greatest problem — the curse of sin and death — but also to spread the joy of full, abundant living with God.

 

When Jesus was born, angels proclaimed that this was “good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). We might experience flashes of happiness sometimes, but true joy is something new and different, something deeper. This joy is a gift of God.

 

Through his life and death, Jesus redeems believers from the weight of sin in their lives and in the world. When this burden is removed from us, we can see the true character of God and all the blessing he wants for us in life. And just as all creation once rejoiced at its Maker’s goodness, we can find delight in God’s gift of redemption and new life in Christ. The gospel of John reports that because of this first miracle, Jesus “revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” Begin to experience the joy of Jesus’ presence as it captures your heart this year!

 

 

New Beginnings - Pt. 4

 

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore spray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Matthew 9:35-38 ESV).

 

As the new year ramps up and our schedules return to “normal” most of our lives begin to fill with things to do, places to go, and people to meet. Even for Mary and I who are nearly retired, the schedule of our lives can often lead to frustration and anxiety. I must admit that I never expected to need my Day Timer to keep track of the number of doctor’s appointments, but there we are. It has been a bit worse lately simply because of the difficulty of uncovering a diagnosis for treatment in my current health issue. Earlier today (Thursday) I had a consult with the pulmonologist to go over the results of the tests that were performed last week. I was amused when he told me that nothing was wrong with my lungs. Hearing the term “normal” when you can’t breathe is not comforting. Well, we visited a bit more and he admitted that he simply had no idea why I was unable to breathe and suggested that I try another “ologist.”

 

Of course, there are countless stories like mine in our world. The point is that the distraction of all these things can overwhelm us. We were created with a clear purpose in life: to care for the world and for one another. But then sin came in and distorted our sense of purpose. Life comes at us quickly, and we often respond by just trying to keep up. Whether it’s the “rat race” at work, extracurricular activities with our kids, or other commitments, there are always more distractions and demands on our time. The harassment of all this is not new to our generation. Jesus walked among people who were overburdened with the stresses of life; they needed comfort, help, and rest. And “he had compassion on them, because they were …like sheep without a shepherd” (v. 36).

 

Jesus pays attention to people’s needs. And like a good shepherd, he tends, provides, guides, heals, and shares his love with all. He also points his followers to God’s work in restoring purpose and healing to our lives. That truth is the foundation of hope in what feels hopeless. Jesus is the ultimate answer to all our challenges. Trust Him!

 

New Beginnings - Pt. 3

[Jesus said] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” (Matthew 25:31-40 ESV).

 

It is not unusual to know of families living paycheck to paycheck; single mothers trying to stretch their resources farther and farther; homeless people on street corners holding signs that say, “Will work for food”; or children with swollen bellies because they don’t have food to eat. I know the common quip to such a statement is that doesn’t happen in America. However, the data proves otherwise. In fact, it is almost a daily occurrence to encounter people in need as we go about our daily routines.

 

The truth is that in place of the rich provision given by God in Eden, we now find poverty and material need. Sometimes poverty is the result of injustice and oppression. Other times it stems from bad choices made by people in need. Still other times it comes from circumstances beyond people’s control: injury, disability, corporate downsizing. As societies, we struggle to know how to respond to inequality. It is always easier to assign blame, often in simplistic ways.

 

Jesus’ words in our reading today describes the brokenness in which we live. He also taught that in caring for needy people on his behalf, we will serve Jesus himself (vv. 37-40). The poor are with us. Perhaps in this new year our love for Jesus will yield a new willingness to care for the weak and oppressed. This is one easily accomplished part of a New Beginning.

 

  

New Beginnings - Pt. 2

 

Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun. Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind. Again, I saw vanity under the sun: one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (ESV)

 

Loneliness is common in our world today. Whether it comes from a divorce, a broken relationship, travel for our job, or something else. Loneliness can leave us feeling as if life is empty and futile. With the author of Ecclesiastes, we might find ourselves wondering about our purpose. Even the so-called “good things in life”— wealth, power, pleasure— have only a limited ability to satisfy us. He asks hard questions about life; and, he gives us some of the most impactful answers.

 

Today’s reading is one of those places where we can see a practical step in our effort to have a new beginning. Loneliness is one of those feelings that are difficult to change. Remember this was never God’s design. In the beginning, God saw that Adam needed companionship, so God created Eve, a “helper suitable for him” (cf. Genesis 2:18). In the beginning, our relationships with each other and with God were good and fully satisfying. Sin, however, introduced envy and competition into human relationships. We now see it played out between husbands and wives, family members, coworkers, neighbors, and people from all places and backgrounds. They find themselves at odds. Human cooperation and friendship require new risks that were not present in the original creation. Sin leads us away from the voice of God.

 

But no new relationships with others can be as dependable as the faithfulness of God. God knows our loneliness. And despite our unfaithfulness to him, God promises his people protection, help, and security from the destruction of sin. Determine to place yourself in the presence of God and find the answer to loneliness.

 

New Beginnings - Pt. 1

 

Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him la new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. For the word of the LORD is upright, and all his work is done in faithfulness. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD. (Psalm 33:1-5 ESV).

 

New beginnings can give us a sense of hope and joy. Newly married couples radiate happiness on their wedding day. Choosing a new place to live is often an exciting adventure. There's a certain energy that accompanies the start of a new school year. Of course, we celebrate the new year with parties, cheers, and even fireworks. This may not be the case for you this year. I sent a few texts out on New Year’s Day wishing everyone a wonderful year. In fact, I wrote that I hoped it would be the “best ever.” One person answered, “It probably won’t be, but it’s probably worth sticking around to find out.” Well… that brought me to our reading today for a few devotionals to encourage you in your journey.

 

God designed creation to give us a similar sense of hope and joy. Before sin entered the world, creation radiated God's justice, faithfulness, and love. God's word, by which the heavens and the earth were created, gave structure and meaning to all created things. At times, we still catch glimpses of this beauty and joy in creation. We marvel at the smooth sand on our favorite beach. We watch the sun set over the water. We wonder at the complex patterns of frost etched on our windowpanes in winter. We admire the fresh snow blanketing trees in our yard or neighborhood. And when spring comes, we are delighted with the first blade of grass or the first blooming flower.

 

Too often, though, in the pain of life we hurry through our days, and we miss the creative majesty of God at work. What's new soon becomes old, and we feel no reason to offer praise or even take notice. As you enter this new year, ask God to help you instead to observe something new each day about his unfailing love in creation. You won’t be disappointed with the creative genius of God. Everyday is full of these little vignettes of hope. Be intentional and look for them! After all, it is true that new beginnings are often disguised as painful endings!

 

Happy New Year!

 

After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. (Joshua 1:1-7 ESV).

 

On the first day of a new year many of us wish each other a "Happy New Year!" But as we begin a new year, we need more than a hopeful greeting from the people around us. We need to listen to what God told Joshua about 3,400 years ago. As Joshua was about to lead God's people into the promised land, he had reason to be afraid. He had an enormous task ahead of him, and he was well aware of the dangers that he and the people would soon be facing. He needed God's encouragement. Our reading today is God’s answer to His request for that encouragement.

 

We cannot deny that a new year brings lots of questions: Will our health hold? Will our marriage last? Will we be able to hang on to our job? Will we get into the right school? Will we live to see the end of this year? Will the economy improve? Will there be a terrorist attack or some natural disaster that takes me or my loved ones? The Creator of the universe comes to us and says, "Don't be afraid; don't be discouraged." What happens in this coming year is not left to chance. God is in charge, and he promises to stay close: "The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

 

Many years later, the Lord Jesus made the same promise when he said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). That's the reason we can wish each other a "Happy New Year!"

 

My prayer for you and yours is that you will rest in that promise everyday of this new year! God bless!