2019 is here and already we have ticked off a few days off the first month. With a New Year comes a new beginning. The start of how the rest of the 12 months will play out and the perfect time to gather momentum as we roll into the days, weeks and months ahead. This now begs the question, what makes a new beginning? And where do we start?
Try to think of this brand new year as an empty painting canvas. Unblemished and full of potential; just waiting for the artists’ hand to fill it with color and life. Yet, the beginning of the painting is not when the artist paints the first line. Nor does it begin when he picks up the brush and readies the paint. Paradoxically, it begins when he knows the destination. When he has a clear vision of what he wants to put on the blank canvas. Only then can he decide on what colors to use and determine where he starts drawing. A new beginning starts with an ending. A destination. A specific goal in mind which will drive the direction to achieve it. The beginning and the end goes hand-in-hand and as people of the Lord, we are to live this year in accordance with His will.
PGCAG General Superintendent and President, Rev. Dr. David Sobrepeña mentioned 4 principles to a new beginning during the first Sunday Service of 2019 last January 6. New beginnings all start from God’s call. You are important to God and He has a plan for you. It is for this reason the He continually takes an interest in your life and calls out to you in a personal way. That He may direct you in the path in which He has prepared for you. Knowing that we are called by God, it is important that we are paying attention to His call. Continually communing with Him allows you to be more attentive to His call for a new beginning in your life.
This is where the second principle comes in. Because a new beginning will also be highly dependent on how you respond to that calling. When the Lord is dealing with you there is ALWAYS a response from our end. We can either choose to follow or resist that call. Which is why it is important to know that the way we respond will make or break the new beginning that we want to achieve. Thirdly, expect obstacles and oppositions along the way. The resistance we face teaches us to trust more in the power of the Lord and not just on our won capabilities. It is through these situations where God assures us that He is bigger than any fear and uncertainty we may have to His calling. One can see that even before getting started, a mammoth obstacle already blocks the path towards that new beginning. And that barrier is our comfort zone. The more and the longer we are used to staying in our comfort zone, the bigger that obstacle may seem. It is with a leap of faith in our God that allows us to jump out and over the comfort zones we have built and into the place where God has called us to be.
The 4th ingredient to a bright new beginning has been divided into two. 1st of which is leaving the past where it should be: behind you. Letting go of what held you back in the past will help catapult you into what you want to achieve in the present for you to reach the end that you have set. This will then allow you to start over again. And once you start with the beginning that the Lord has called you for, act decisively and continue to surge forward. Like what Isaiah mentioned, if we continue to trust in the Lord, He will renew our strength (Isaiah 43:31). This also makes sure that we will not stop short of what God wants us to start and instead, He will be the one to guide our hand and instruments to bring life and color to the canvas which is 2019.
