I know this isn’t the very beginning of the year when we usually think of beginning again, but there are other times in our lives when we begin again, and those are the times I want to talk about today.

Have you ever thought about how many times we begin again in our lives?  We begin school for the very first time, and then each consecutive year, then maybe college. We begin a new job and then another, and perhaps another. Learning to drive was new a new beginning! Moving to another house or new city certainly is a new beginning. Then, maybe the all-time favorite is getting married and starting a family.  The list goes on and I’m sure you can think of some of your new beginnings that I haven’t mentioned.

One thing for sure in our lives is beginning again and again.  Even in our daily lives.  We begin the day with decisions about breakfast, then the other meals. When and where to run errands, doing laundry and cleaning our homes, only to have to begin again in a few days. We may not always think of these everyday activities as new beginnings, but they are just that, because of the great possibilities of encountering different people etc.   By now you’re probably thinking, “duh”! 

So, let’s get deeper into the spiritual aspect of beginning again. A lot of the time we must comply with the instructions in Philippians 3:13 – “but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead”. Some of those things in the past that were sin(s) that we confessed and placed under the Blood of Jesus. Others may have just been different weights that the Lord asked us to lay aside to spend more time with Him, or to do what He has called us to do. In either instance, we begin again.

So much of the time the different seasons in our lives call for us to lay aside or change our priorities so we can do what we need to do; what God has called us to do.  As I said, there are different reasons and consequences for these new beginnings. 

Let’s look at some new beginnings we see in the Bible and what lessons we can learn:

Adam began again when taken out of the Garden of Eden. (lesson to learn: God disciplines His children) Proverbs 3:11 instructs us to not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be weary of his correction.

Noah began again after the flood.  According to Genesis 6:9, Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God. In verse 11, God told Noah to build an ark. (lesson to learn: obedience results in the protection and provision of God for His children.)

Abram began again when God asked him to leave his family in Genesis 12:1. He began again each time when God said to move; and even when God gave him a new name to Abraham and promising him a son; Genesis 17:1-5. (lesson to learn: we don’t always know in advance how God is going to perform His promises in our lives; but He does asks us to trust Him with our obedience.).  

Jacob began again when he left his home running from his brother and then when he returned. We can read of this account in chapters Genesis 17 and 32. (lesson to learn: running away from our problems only causes more trouble and usually just brings us full circle back to the heart issue).     

Note:  Abram left his family in the fear of God; but Jacob left his family in fear of his brother. It’s all about how good our relationship is with the Lord. Also, we see this in the difference of Zachariah and Mary. Both had questions about what the angel said to them but their responses were different. Zachariah’s response was one of unbelief because God had already provided a baby to an older couple in Abraham and Sarah. Mary’s response was one of searching how the promise would be; a virgin birth had not happened before.  (Luke 1)

Joseph began several times: he was sold as a slave, was lied about and put in prison, then as governor, and again when he received his brothers. (Genesis 37) (lesson to learn: our faithfulness to God will always and eventually bring God’s blessings to us).

Moses began again when he first left Egypt, then again when he met God in the burning bush; then again when he returned to Egypt, and then again when he led Israel out of Egypt. (Exodus chapters 2-12,) (lesson to learn: trying to do things our own way usually just keeps us going around the same mountain until we learn to submit to God).

The Israelites began a new life when they moved to Egypt and then when they left Egypt; and then again when taking the Promise Land. (lesson to learn: we may not always know the reasons for certain situations in our lives, or how hard it will be to take our Promise Land and to maintain it, but God is faithful to perform what He has promised us when we are faithful to Him).

David began again when he first went to live in the palace with Saul and began again when running from Saul.  He then began again when he actually was reigning as king. (1 Samuel 16-31) (lesson to learn: when God moves us from one season of life to the next we may not see the real-end-result at first. There are many things to learn in each season of life.).

The Disciples began new lives when they left their jobs to follow Jesus. (lesson to learn: it is costly sometimes to follow Jesus. Separation from family and sometimes leaving familiar settings can be stressful even if it is a change we want). 

Peter began again when he left his fishing business to follow to Jesus, and had to begin again after denying Jesus. (Matthew 4:18; 26:74-75) (lesson to learn: God forgives us and receives us when we repent and still has plans and purpose for our lives).

Paul began a new life when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He left (government) military career and began again with the decision to follow Jesus-his new Commander-in-chief. (lesson to learn: our lives too, are turned around when we meet Jesus the Savior and confess Him as our Savior).   

So what exactly am I saying to you?  I’m saying that everyone deals with new beginnings in their life. Some are easier than others but nevertheless, we deal with them. Some come to us because of our own decisions, some because of decisions of others.

I’m ALSO saying that we should not allow ourselves to be discouraged or frustrated; it’s okay to begin again. 

One thing I DO know is that God specializes in new beginnings with us. He is always on the march to change us from glory to glory – and let’s face it – that “changing from glory to glory” to be more like Him doesn’t happen without new beginnings. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

So leave behind the frustrations, disappointments and discouragements, and yes, even the regrets and look at them as learning steps to do better. If we don’t put those things behind us, and overcome them with the Blood of Jesus, they will hinder us from growing up into the image and character God and going forward with His plans for us. 

Each time we are beginning again, let’s do it with diligence to complete, finish, and obtain the goals and plans and purpose God has for us.  This is what it means to work (or walk) out our Salvation; it is God who works in us both to will and do His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12) That means God Almighty works within us to have a desire to begin again with Him; and He works for us to help us accomplish His plans He has for our lives.

My favorite scription is Matthew 6:33 because when I seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, my heart is in tune to hear His voice to guide me in making decisions – even in those everyday duties called life. 

Another favorite is Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land. If we are willing to live for God, He makes a way for us to live pleasingly to Him and give us His blessings.