Beginning a new chapter; the point where the previous part of the story has ended and the stage is set for a fresh character, story line or the opportunity to explore more deeply the journey already walked. The next chapter entails turning the page, shifting focus and moving forward.
I kinda love new chapters both in books and in life because there’s a certain excitement generated in new beginnings. Part of me wants to quickly turn the pages and find out what will happen next even though I may be feeling terrified or apprehensive at the same time.
Yet no matter how terrified, hesitant, stuck or afraid we may feel at the prospect of beginning a new chapter, our story when it comes to our lives doesn’t stop where we are currently. Life is always full of change, transition, challenges, the highs and the lows. However no matter what sort of story the previous chapters told our story isn’t over. It’s not too late to change it up, to write something completely new, to change the narrative.
Regardless of what we have or haven’t done or been to this point, our future hasn’t been set, we have choices and God always has a strategy and way through to write a different and more amazing story.
As Paul, who had a fair amount of mess-ups wrote in the Bible, “But one thing I do: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus “. (Philippians 3:13-14)
We may have missed it or made some decisions we regret or would rather not have travelled through but whether or not we like the plot so far is not as important as what we do next. If we will allow God to help we can live and learn from the previous chapters, but then leave them behind and turn and run into a new part of our story.
Today ask yourself, “What will and can you do to begin the next part of your story?” One thing about new chapters is they are just that, new! What new thing can you do to change or enhance your story? What do you need to, start, change and take hold of to start moving towards the sort of story you want your life to tell and illustrate?
Our future is so vast and full of amazing things that God wants to share with us…He says we were made to win, to laugh, to shout out loud and to really, really live. (John 10:10) The decision however is up to us as to whether we will listen to our hearts and the dreams that He has placed in them, believe for better things ahead and then choose every day to live out the story we were made to tell. God promises He will help us, for He is mighty to deliver us from anything that attempts to hold us back, and He promises over and over again to lead and guide us in every chapter of our lives.
I encourage you to start something new today. You don’t have to stay stuck, writing and living the same old thing chapter after chapter. Begin; take a step, look up and ahead today and discover, with God helping to write your narrative what sort of story you can tell that will make you and everyone else around you glad you got up in the morning, because when we are brave enough to begin a new chapter it inspires others to do the same.
“Now, if anyone is enfolded into Christ, he has becomes an entirely new person. All that related to the old order has vanished. Behold, everything is fresh and new”. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Everything connected to the old life is rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life – a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you”. ( Ephesians 4:20-24 The Message)
Jesus said, “A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of”. (John 10:10 The Message)
Prayer: Lord thank you for new chapters in life and for the freedom and opportunity you give me everyday to write my story. I’m alive for a reason so please help me not to take that for granted but to really live the life you have tor me. Help me to lay aside the past and to look ahead to my future with hope and expectation today. In Jesus name Amen
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