Recently, I accepted a co-pastorate position with a local church. It is a new beginning for both the church and I. It is a new relationship between the two of us. I was thinking how fitting it is, that this takes place just before the season of Advent.
The season of Advent is a time when we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus, a new beginning. The time of His birth was not just a new beginning of His life on earth, but it was also a new beginning for all of mankind. Sin had wrecked the world and Jesus was coming to redeem His creation, with the promise of hope, peace, love, and joy. This redemption would be completed by his death on the cross and His resurrection from the grave.
Just as the new beginning between the church and I involves a relationship, so does the new beginning with Jesus. In order to find and experience true hope, peace, love, and joy, one must have a relationship with Him.
If you have never asked Jesus to be the Lord and Savior of your life, today is the day to do so. Your new beginning can begin today. You can experience hope, peace, love, and joy like never before, by submitting to Jesus.
Maybe, you have given your life over to Jesus in the past, but things have gotten off track. You can have a new beginning today as well, by submitting to the will of Jesus whatever your situation may be.
I have hope for my new church family, that we will be able to grow.
I have peace that things are going to be all right, because this is where God wants me.
I have love in my heart for the opportunity I will have each week to share from God’s pulpit.
I have joy, knowing that God has called me, specifically, to this task.
That little baby we celebrate is the God of new beginnings. His name is Jesus. Will you begin anew with Him today?
Scripture Reading – (Romans 10:13; II Corinthians 5:17)