GreaterSample

NEW BEGINNING

We have pretty short attention spans. We might set out to do something specific, but can quickly lose our focus, or just full-on ignore the things we know we should do. We get off track, lose our way, lack motivation, fail, and fall short daily. The great news is God gave us a second chance at eternity through Jesus. He’s our new start, and He’s there for us when we fail and need His grace, which is every single day. The Bible says none are righteous, not one, so we could never earn salvation on our own. It’s important to not dwell on humanity’s disappointing propensity to fail, because it’s not IF we fail, but when. We have no hope of passing the test that is God’s law, no matter how many hints, study sessions, or “second chances” we get. We’ll never achieve the perfection it takes to spend eternity with God. Jesus’ righteousness itself IS our fresh start, He is enough for us and He paid the price so we don’t have to endlessly strive. But God knows each one of us. He made our personalities, our hair color, our pet peeves, our hidden talents, and our spiritual gifts. He knows our shortcomings and is ready to write a whole new story for us the moment we accept Jesus, sometimes even by giving us a new name. He changed Saul to Paul, Sarai to Sarah, Naomi to Mara, and Simon to Peter; you can start a new chapter any time you choose by accepting His perfect grace just once. We don’t deserve the names “forgiven,” “worthy,” and “friend” but He calls us by them anyway! No matter how many times you lose your focus, He is there to give you the new beginning He wrote down in love 2,000 years ago.