New beginnings mean a shift in our positioning because if we want to embrace what’s new, we will have to move out of our comfort zone and stretch further. So I am getting out of my comfort zone and trying new things like dancing Zumba with my kids!
New beginnings sometimes mean being patient for change to happen Think of the butterfly; it starts out as an egg, hatches into a caterpillar, then becomes a chrysalis before it transforms into a butterfly. It was born a butterfly by nature but it doesn’t become one overnight; it must submit itself to the process. If the developmental process in the Chrysalis is not completed, the butterfly cannot survive. Below is a quote from an article on the transformation of a monarch butterfly “In March and April the eggs are laid on milkweed plants. They hatch into baby caterpillars, also called the larvae. It takes about four days for the eggs to hatch. Then the baby caterpillar doesn’t do much more than eat the milkweed in order to grow. After about two weeks, the caterpillar will be fully-grown and find a place to attach itself so that it can start the process of metamorphosis. It will attach itself to a stem or a leaf using silk and transform into a chrysalis. Although, from the outside, the 10 days of the chrysalis phase seems to be a time when nothing is happening, it is really a time of rapid change. Within the chrysalis the old body parts of the caterpillar are undergoing a remarkable transformation, called metamorphosis, to become the beautiful parts that make up the butterfly that will emerge. The monarch butterfly will emerge from the pupa and fly away, feeding on flowers and just enjoying the short life it has left, which is only about two to six weeks.” (www.learningaboutnature.com ) I love that part about the fact that although from the outside it looks like nothing is happening, change is actually occurring; change that will lead to a beautiful outcome! In our lives it often appears like nothing is happening. It’s like planting a seed in a pot or garden. For a while you keep watering and although it appears that nothing is happening you keep at it because you know the seed needs to go through a process in the soil before a shoot begins to spring up. Whatever you are seeking to do this year, keep watering that dream, goal or idea. Even if you are the only one who knows what’s in the ground, keep working at it and waiting in expectation. One day it will come out and stand out for all to see what you have been labouring on. Don’t give up because your dream is still at a caterpillar or chrysalis stage, change is occurring and bit by bit the butterfly will finally emerge to display the beautiful creation that was being put together! New beginnings mean facing your fears, stepping into the unknown, being adventurous and taking risks. There is no character I can think of in the Bible used by God who didn’t have to take some risks, face their fears or deal with challenges one way or another. Let’s recall a few: Noah called to build an ark – imagine the ridicule he faced since there had never been rain! And to add to the adventure, all sorts of animals were invited to his boating party! Abram leaving kith and kin to an unknown, unspecified location – who travels without a map or destination in mind? Ruth returning to Bethlehem with her mother-in-law – what was in store for her in a foreign land with a homeless, poor widow? Esther running into the King’s palace without invitation – what if the king did not stretch the sceptre towards her? David facing Goliath – mismatched in size, armour and weapons. What was he thinking? Gideon, threshing wheat in a wine press for fear of the Midianites – Yet God calls him to go face his dreaded foes? All of these people had every reason to recoil at God’s word but instead they faced their fears, took the path God chose for them and won great victories! Today they serve as an example and inspiration to us. Our Lord Jesus is the ultimate example for us; it was an agonising choice for Him to be separated from His Father but He submitted to His Father’s will and faced the torture of the cross; He made a choice to face His destiny to give you and I a new beginning! I serve a God of new beginnings so I am excited about this New Year and all He has in store for me and you, yes you reading this. Wherever you are right now, whatever your circumstances, know that when you allow Jesus Christ into your life, he gives you the greatest new beginning. The one that starts with calling God your father and living a life of purpose! If you are already walking with Jesus then get ready for even greater moments with Him! He desires to do new things if we will just get up and do what He is asking us to do. I know there are things I must dare to do this year, new depths in my walk with God, new relationships I must nurture, new challenges I must embrace. It’s not going to happen in a day but I am poised for change! What about you? New beginnings are beckoning but first, we must fill our minds with His word so that our thoughts and our language are aligned with the new things God desires to do in our lives. Next we must also be willing to step out in faith towards what God is leading us into. When Joshua and the Israelites were journeying to the Promised Land they got to a point where the Jordan lay before them and their destination. Joshua received a word from God to let the priests carry the ark into the Jordan so the waters would part for the company of Israel to walk through. Imagine looking at a river that was overflowing and being asked to walk into it! But Joshua and the priest obeyed and the Bible says; “and when those who were carrying the ark came up to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were submerged at the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all of its banks throughout the time of harvest), the waters which were flowing down from above stopped and rose up in one mass a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan. Those [waters] flowing downward toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed [the river] opposite Jericho. And while all [the people of] Israel crossed over on dry ground, the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan [riverbed], until all the nation had finished crossing over the Jordan. (Joshua 3:15-17) It took faith to step into a river that was overflowing its banks and believe that a path would be made! But if they hadn’t stepped into the Jordan, I don’t know how much longer it would have taken them to get to their destination! This year let’s choose to be more daring and bold in our approach to life! God never promised to take us on an easy road but He does promise His presence and guidance every step of the way. There will be some Jordan’s to step into, are you game? I covet the spirit of Caleb who outlived an unbelieving generation to receive his inheritance and a new beginning when he was 80 years old! Caleb’s boldness and faith in God paid off and so will yours and mine as we walk towards our destiny this year! Let your language change in line with the new beginnings God wants for you! Let go of the past and embrace the new! Shalom! Yours in newness!
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