I am often amazed at how many times you work so hard to finish something. You lose sleep, miss meals, skip entertaining events, all to reach your goal. And right when you feel like you are just about to touch that rainbow with it's pot of gold... it all disappears, and a big neon sign obstructs your view. Now all you can see are flashing lights, spelling out two beautiful words: "The Beginning". Nevermind that it's gonna take a nap to appreciate them. "The Beginning"... What? "You must be kidding?" is your initial response. But this is not "The Beginning", as in the start of the same thing you just finished, but 'the beginning' of something really new. It's a road you have never ventured down before. It's an invitation. I mean at this point, it can't be ignored, but it can be denied.
I find this to be the case in every area of life. Kids finish one school year, only to start a new one... or eventually a new life. We work on projects and as soon as they are done, either we are offered a season of rest or that 'project' has now opened the doors to more opportunity.... and thus more busyness. The same is true when someone is sick and passes away, or someone who was once close to you is now far away. Either way, something new is about to begin.
Not only is this true in our everyday lives, but this is how 'The Kingdom' works as well. When we come to Christ with our pain, our shame and our sin, it is the end of those things reigning in our lives. A New Day has dawned! Jesus' Lordship, occupation and dominion of that territory begins.
It's the Cross and the Empty Tomb!
It's the end of "void and darkness", but it's the beginning of "Let there be light".
It's the end of a long, hard, pregnancy, but the beginning of a new life.
And yes, it is even that which ends in death, only to be followed by the beginning of Eternal Life.
Like a great baton exchange in a relay race, it's a wonderful crossing of the finish line. It's called transition... where the End always precedes the Beginning.
If any man be in Christ, He is a New Creation! Old things are passed away and behold (Look with wonder!) all things are become New!
2 Cor. 5:17
i had to read this 3 or 4 times. so, i'm thinking -- beginning or the end?? i'm thinking everything must come to an end. but then You're explaining how everybody has to go through something to get to the next step. i get that. you may be on something brand new right now, but you can look back and recall things from your past that you are blessed to be able to pinpoint the end. i try to always remember that no matter what today was or was not, tomorrow is going to be a new day.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing.
Just beautiful Nicole... as are you!
ReplyDeleteJust last night God took me to Isaiah 42 where He was talking about new things springing up...do you not perceive them? I need some new and good things to begin to happen as do many others...and I need an end to some of the pain and suffering...yet GOd uses all I have been through to bring comfort and understanding to others who have long suffered and are still holding out and believing to do all God has called us to do. I hope to keep pressing on all the days I have left on this earth to lifting up Jesus....so all men can be drawn to Him! Thank you for being you...simple and free....I will make it a daily goal to pray for you and your family and your ministry's...I hope to do many wonderful things like you are doing in my future....I will never give up...because I still have air in my lungs...and my heart is still beating on!
ReplyDeleteGodspeed Ahead,
Laurel Kasco