Full of It

Every Moment is a New Beginning

"In the beginning..."

These three simple words from Genesis carry profound weight. They remind us that our God is a God of beginnings, of fresh starts, of transformation and renewal. As we step into a new year, many of us find ourselves contemplating the possibility of starting over, of redefining our lives, of finally making those changes we've been putting off.

But here's a revolutionary thought: You don't need a new year to have a new beginning. You can have a new beginning every single day.

The Illusion of Perfect Timing

We often wait for the "right moment" to make meaningful changes. We tell ourselves that Monday will be different, that next month we'll finally start that diet, that next year we'll get serious about our spiritual life. But this waiting game often serves as nothing more than a delay tactic, an excuse that keeps us trapped in patterns we desperately want to break.

The truth is, any moment can be a moment to begin anew. Right now, in this very instant, we can seize the opportunity for a fresh start. We can shake off the distractions, release the excuses, and choose this moment as our new beginning.

The Reality of Change

We all know our weaknesses. We're familiar with the false narratives we tell ourselves. "Tomorrow will be different," we promise. "My willpower will be stronger." But then tomorrow comes, and with it, all the same fears and problems we had yesterday.

The alarm clock rings, ignoring the promises we made just hours before. The coffee sits half-finished as we rush to respond to emails and texts, distracted from our plans to embrace something new. It's disappointing when we make plans for a new life, but nobody else seems to get the memo.

The first day of the diet is when someone brings your favorite cake to the office. The first day of the exercise program is when it rains. The first day you commit to adjusting your attitude is when that person who gets on your last nerve sits right next to you.

Biblical Examples of New Beginnings

Consider the new starts we see throughout Scripture:

Noah was just an ordinary person chosen by God to build an ark for humanity's salvation.

Moses had significant failures in his past, yet he was chosen to lead an entire nation to freedom.

David was a simple shepherd boy who rose to become a king, despite the skeletons in his closet.

The prophets were ordinary people with no special speaking skills, yet they spoke powerfully for God.

The disciples were fishermen who left everything to follow a man they barely knew.

These weren't perfect people. They were ordinary individuals who said yes to God's invitation for a new beginning. They stepped out of fear and into faith.

The God of New Beginnings

The God of the Bible is not a God of dead ends, but a God of new beginnings. From Genesis 1 ("In the beginning, God created...") to Revelation 21 ("Behold, I make all things new"), we see a consistent theme: God specializes in fresh starts.

No matter what darkness surrounds us, hovers above us, or dwells within us, God has the ability to bring light upon us, life through us, and a new beginning inside of us.

This is profoundly comforting. Despite our faltering steps and repeated failures, God's love remains steadfast. God's grace is sufficient. God's compassion never fails.

Practical Steps for New Beginnings

What would it mean to live every moment in awareness of God's love and grace? What would it look like to devote every ounce of our being to loving the way God loves?

Here are some concrete steps we can take:

Embrace Constant Contact - Stay in constant connection with God, family, and friends. Make every divine appointment count.

Focus on Opportunities, Not Problems - Instead of asking "Why is today so difficult?" ask "What opportunities does God have for me today?"

Practice Gratitude for Today - Each day that we can stand vertical, inhale and exhale, a new package is delivered to our doorstep. It's called "Today." What will you do with that gift?

Shift Your Energy - Instead of imagining what could go wrong, consider what could brilliantly go right. What unexpected support might you receive? What innovative solutions are emerging?

Take Small Actions - Call someone you haven't seen in a while. Say a daily prayer for someone other than yourself. Reach out to show God's love to someone who is heartbroken, hungry, or homeless.

A Big Ministry in a Small Space

We don't need massive resources to make a meaningful impact. Churches have partnered with organizations to transform underused buildings into vibrant community centers. Congregations have created community gardens that provide nutritious food at low cost. Creative thinking about existing resources can yield incredible results.

The question isn't whether we have enough. The question is: What will we do with what we've already been blessed with?

The $7 Haircut

There's a story about a well-established barbershop that faced competition from a new salon advertising $7 haircuts. Unable to match that price, the established shop put up their own sign: "We fix $7 haircuts."

While undoing a bad haircut isn't always possible, a daily new beginning is always possible in your life. Today, as you anticipate the challenges and opportunities ahead, stand ready for a fresh start.

Better Things Ahead

As C.S. Lewis wisely observed, with God, there are better things ahead than any of the things we've left behind.

Can you envision a new beginning for your life? For your family? For your community? Don't map out the entire course. Just imagine what it would look like to embrace a new attitude, a new direction.

The God who was there in the beginning, who was there in the middle, who was there at the end, is the same God who offers you a new beginning right now.

This very moment is your fresh start. Seize it.