Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Starting over may conjure images of work, repeat efforts, new efforts, heavy lifting, and/or frustrations. On the other hand, you can look at starting over as a second chance to refocus, recalibrate, and resurrect ideas and choices. And, you don’t have to do it alone. Imagine starting over with the Author and Creator of new beginnings?
I cannot tell you how often I would step out of a bad or toxic situation and promise myself I would never do “fill in the blank” again. One case in particular included dating a guy for years, breaking up with him and getting back with him two and three times over. Following each breakup, declaring I would not go back to him only to return to comfort. At that time, I was comfortable. He was like that old blanket you pull out while watching a Netflix binge situation. I did not want to start over by dating someone new. I was lazy and uninterested in going through the “get to know you” questions. I was intimated by the “new and improved” guys out there who talk a big game and eventually came up short. Finally, I did not want to engage with the negativity. These obvious reasons kept me from starting over in the dating world. Meanwhile, I have kept myself abundantly busy with work, friendships, travel, hobbies, and other activities to keep me preoccupied from pursuing dating.
You are not alone! Who wants to start over in the dating world after a 20-, 30-, or 40-year marriage has ended in divorce? Who wants to be around children, raising them in a new relationship when you were already done raising your own? Who wants to start the new business or hobby following decades of working “for Mr. Charlie” all those years? I have one word – fear. Yup, you’re scared. Heck, I am scared too! I don’t put myself out there in the dating scene because I fear what and who I am going to come across. I fear the unknown. I fear the rejection. I fear how my emotions will dictate my actions in leading me to make mistakes. We’ve all been there, and it is not fun.
But I had to first come to a few AHA conclusions – I cannot be a Believer in Christ, with a new heart for the good in what God can provide and not have faith, trust, confidence, and joy in the starting over process. So, like in all things following a time of prayer and reflection, I was led to the Bible. There, I was introduced to a few characters that experienced a starting over experience, which not only blessed them but those around them too.
Moses: From Prince to Fugitive to Shepherd to Leader
After Moses’ fled Egypt for his life after killing an Egyptian who was beating a fellow Israelite, Moses must have felt that his life was basically over. From a powerful prince in Egypt and the likely heir to the Pharaoh, he was reduced to a fugitive and now a shepherd. Now that Moses was a simple shepherd, he must have resigned himself to a life in the desert tending sheep but later he would be a shepherd, not of sheep, but in bringing out the nation of Israel. Moses found favor in the Lord God and God told Moses “I have known you by name” and then Moses actually saw a glimpse of the glory of God. What a new beginning…from a fleeing fugitive from murdering an Egyptian official to a shepherd in the desert and finally, seeing God and leading the entire nation of Israel.
Esther: Orphan, Fatherless, to Queen
Esther is all about God’s divine timing and intervention. Esther “had no father or mother” so she certainly must have had a humble life but when King Ahasuerus deposed Queen Vashti, Esther found favor in the king’s eyes. When the Jews were threatened by a decree that they all be killed, her uncle Mordecai approached Esther to ask her to intervene on behalf of the Jews and speak to the king about this. At first, she was reluctant, but Mordecai saw God’s hand in this and told Queen Esther that “who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this”? Esther courageously said that she would enter the king’s court at the risk of her own life but said “I will go to the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish”. The Jews were sparred and so was the life of Queen Esther, who was an orphan but rose to the position of Queen under King Ahasuerus who “reigned from India to Ethiopia over 127 provinces, in those days as King Ahasuerus sat on his royal throne which was at the citadel in Susa”. This orphaned Queen now ruled with the king over the greatest empire at that time.
David: Teen Shepherd to King of Israel
David’s rise was meteoric to say the least. When Samuel had to look for a king to replace King Saul who had disobeyed God one time too many; then God told him to have Jesse bring his sons to see which of these would be king. Customarily, the eldest son was the obvious choice. His father professed Eliab, “Certainly, here in the Lord’s presence is his anointed king”. But the Lord told Samuel “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart”. Instead, God selected David, a small teenage boy who was a shepherd. Once again, God chooses those who others would overlook. Later, David had to run from King Saul who was in a jealous rage. David had to hide in caves, and he was not sure if he would even survive. But God allowed David to survive and thrive as King David, who ruled over the greatest period for the Kingdom of Israel in their entire history.
In all three of these characterizations, God sees through all of life’s shenanigans, situations shortcomings, and frailties and observes the heart. God knows you by name. He has created you with purpose. He knows the plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. He recognizes what you don’t have and replaces it with more than you can ever imagine. Circumstances, natural emotions, and actions aside, God provides opportunities of strength, influence, finances, relationships, or time to be what guides you to take the second chance. God ensures your starting over is not centered on what you were or your past failings or flaws, but by what He created you to be. He adds His special “ingredients” and turns what you think are nothings into wonderful and different somethings.
What about you? Are you going through something right now? Have you been knocked down in the dirt? Are you feeling ignored and lonely? You can be the next story of a new beginning. So, take heart – for God is the God of new beginnings. He is the God of second chances and third chances and beyond. You can start this new beginning – repent and trust in Christ, or you will have an end that is unchangeable. There is still time for you to make a new life in Christ. Tomorrow may be too late for no one knows what tomorrow may bring or if anyone will even live beyond tonight. With a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving, you can move forward at another chance at making the impossible very possible.
….now what, Linda
now what, Linda? 