A FRESH START

With all this talk about starting fresh because of the new year that lies before us, it's a wonderful feeling knowing that this is sort of like a clean slate. That we can learn from the mistakes we made last year and do things right this time. And perhaps this is also a time when some of us are looking at our life up to this point and wondering if maybe...just maybe...it's time for a change.

You used to be faithful. You used to believe in God...went to church and really were a changed man/woman but somewhere along the way you just changed right back.

Or you are a believer. It's just that this last year was really hard for you and you struggled. Struggled in your faith, your every day life. Maybe even struggled with your beliefs because it seemed that no matter how hard you tried things just kept spiraling downward and it didn't feel like you could ever be up again.

Maybe you don't even believe in--anything. Maybe you're just looking to see what's out there. Something inside is bothering you. Like you just know there has to be something greater out there than what the media likes to go on and on about. Because honestly, all that other stuff you tried just didn't cut it.
Then let me challenge you.

Here it is.

Forget.

Yes, that's right. Forget it all.

Forget all those times you swore you were going to get up early that next Sunday and go to church but instead spent the day in your pajamas, lounging around the house while watching football.

Forget the friend in need you turned away because you forgot the time when they helped you out.

Forget the cuss words that, unfortunately, were the first things to come out of your mouth.

Forget the snide remarks you said or thought about that person passing by.

Forget the money you stole.

Forget the lies you told.

And yes...forget the good.

Forget the times you stayed after service to pray for someone.

Forget the amount of time you spent on raising money for that charity.

Forget all the people you helped when they needed it.

Why?

Because honestly...we are on the same page.

Romans 3:10 tells us that nobody is righeous. Not a single one.

James 2:10 says that someone who is trying to keep all of God's law but messes up once--just once!--is just as guilty as if he/she'd messed up the entire time.

Kinda gives you a whole new perspective on everything, doesn't it?

So going back to my original point and challenge: Forgetting.

Forget it all.

It's a brand new year...what better time for a fresh start?

It's easy to think we aren't worthy. That we don't deserve another chance. I mean come one--how much can God really take, right? How many times is He going to forgive me when I just keep failing at this 'Christian' thing?

Um...as long as it takes.

We aren't perfect and He knows that. But that is why He tells us to trust in Him to lead the way.

Oh it's definitely hard. And yup...we are going to stumble more than once. Way more than once.

Ever hear the saying: the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak?

I encourage you not to dwell on it. When you trip, reach out and take God's hand. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and KEEP GOING.

So right now I'd like for you all to get a picture in your mind of your life.
Think of it, hmm, as a picture. :)

A really dark, dirty picture with nasty smears of colors everywhere. Add some lovely pinks and yellows here and there...sure...but most of it is pretty wrong looking. Unless you are Picasso, nobody is going to buy that painting from you.
Now imagine God coming along and dumping a gallon of paint all over that 'life' of yours.

He looks at you and says, "Fix it. I want it."

Sure, He could just as easily remove that painting and give you a blank canvas to start fresh but that's not the point. The point is that God knows every dirty, awful, detail that lies beneath that paint. He knows it and is still willing to buy it from you. Why? Because He is giving you a second chance to get that painting right.

And guess what?

We are learning from THE Picasso Himself.

Life is hard. Sometimes it sucks. I won't lie to you.

But if we try to follow God...I mean really try...your life can become a beautiful masterpiece.

I leave you with this:
Take the time to (if you have one) look at the list of resolutions you've made up for this year. Take a good long look.

Then tear it up.

Most resolutions result from remembering all the things you didn't do or did wrong.

So tear it up. Then look at God.

Ask Him where He wants you to go.

God Bless


‎"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6