New Beginnings ARE Possible!

written by Emma Bartley

Whenever I am stressed or confused, I personally look to my faith for help. Whether it’s friend issues, school stress, or even something as big as deciding what I want to do in life, prayer always helps me. This month, our focus on new beginnings can seem overwhelming and almost impossible. It can be hard to think that we can really break or form new habits or restart ourselves to be more like who we are called to be. But, looking to my faith, I know that it is not impossible, and is in fact very doable. Multiple times throughout the Bible, God provides people with the opportunity to have a new beginning. Here are some of my personal favorites!

David

David was like anyone else; he was a scrawny teenager working as a shepherd. King Saul had disobeyed God too much, and God called for a new king. A man named Samuel was asked to look for one and went to Jesse, David’s father. Jesse was asked to bring his sons to see which one would be king. Jesse was sure it was going to be his oldest son and brought him to Samuel. But God did not want him to be king. Jesse brought son after son to Samuel, and each one was rejected. Finally, God selected David, who Jesse never thought would be a ruler. God saw something in David that people don’t see. King David thrived and ruled over the greatest period for the Kingdom of Israel in its history.

David’s story teaches us not to compare ourselves to others and not to base ourselves on others’ assumptions. David was able to have a new beginning because of God, not because of any human being. We should not try to be a better person for others or base our new year on what others will think of us, but rather what will truly help us to become the best version of ourselves.

“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.” -1 Samuel 16:5-6

Esther

Esther is not well-known, but she has one of my favorite stories in the Bible. Esther is an orphan; she lives very humbly. At the beginning of her story, the king divorces his wife and is searching for a new queen – and he chooses Esther. Esther is a Jew but hides it from the king. In the king’s court, Haman, a counselor, plots with the king to massacre the Jews in the Empire. Esther, keeping her Judaism a secret, is kicked into action by the threat to her people.

Esther wanted to go and see the king, but she hadn’t been allowed to see him for a month. She was terrified, but she prayed and mustered up the courage to see him. He was angry at her at first, but soon he offered her anything she wished. With her power and good relationship with the king, she is able to save her people. She proclaimed herself a Jew and begged the king to spare her people, and he did!

Esther started her life as a nobody; she had nothing and no one. But she was gracious, kind, and beautiful, and her beauty, inside and out, was rewarded. She not only became queen, but was able to help those around her. Esther’s story teaches us that it doesn’t matter where we are starting from; we can still do something truly impactful.

The Adulterous Woman

One day, Jesus was walking and spotted a large crowd. The Pharisees brought a woman accused of adultery to the center. They put her in front of the crowd and were about to stone her to death, but Jesus said that the one who has never sinned may throw the first stone. Slowly, each and every one of them set down their stones.

Jesus walked into the middle of the crowd to the woman and told her,

“Go and from now on do not sin any more.”

Jesus gave this woman a second chance. She had made a big mistake, but Jesus forgave her. When thinking of how you will live out your 2018, don’t think about your past, but how you want to live out the future. And don’t be afraid to look to others for help. Your best friend or sibling might help you to accomplish a resolution you never thought you would be able to accomplish on your own!

Saul

Saul was a Roman who persecuted followers of Christ. He had murdered many and was a strong force against the early Christians. One day, on his way to Damascus to arrest Christ’s followers, he was blinded by a great light and heard a voice. Saul asked, “Who are you?'” and the voice responded, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Saul was trembling. He could not believe what was happening. He was blinded for three days, and when he could finally see, he began living out Jesus’s teachings and spreading the Gospel. He was renamed and will forever be remembered as Paul.

Paul took advantage of his Roman status to use the Roman roads to spread the Good News. He traveled across many lands and was vital in starting the Church.

Paul teaches us the importance of listening to God’s voice. When thinking of how we want to begin our 2018, we should be reminded of Paul’s story and think about God would want for us!

 

I hope you can find inspiration in your own faith and in these stories to make your 2018 the best year yet!