Starting Over!

20 Jun Starting Over!

Starting Over!

June 19, 2024

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Ever felt like you just needed to start over with something? Maybe as simple as the day, this morning, I got into a little argument with someone in the house, and it seems like everything I tried to do moving forward just didn’t work. I said Lord, what is going on then I got this unction in my spirit that I needed to apologize and repent. I kept going for a bit longer and made a couple more mistakes than I said. Wait a minute, let me put a halt to this, and let me start this day over, so I went ahead and apologized.  And things began to flow.

Starting over may involve relaunching your business or starting a completely new career, relocating, or making a lifestyle change like changing your diet, going to bed on time to achieve better health, or mending a relationship. 

It includes counting your victories and learning from your mistakes or starting over spiritually like Zacchaeus in the Bible did when he met Jesus.  Luke 19:5-10 says “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” 

Starting over begins with a decision and hope for a better outcome. It can be a minor adjustment resulting in huge benefits, like getting to work on time. For example, a person who is constantly late, often calls off, and does not read the weekly project updates or company communications will get angry when their paycheck is short, and no one wants them on their team. That is an effortless restart: get to work on time.

Another example is a pastor who moved his ministry halfway across the country. By starting over in a new location, he went from a handful of members to thousands.

Starting over can be a good thing!  God knows who you are and what you should be doing anyway. Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Pray about starting over, plan for any life adjustments, and remember that many changes we make do not just affect you alone.  Jeremiah 29:12-13 says, “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Also, Psalm 37:5 NLT “Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”

This message may only be for some. Starting over is not easy sometimes, but there is nothing like a new hope, a clean slate, or a fresh start, even if only to have a better day.

Theresa Woodard