New Beginnings

My life has been marked by many ‘new beginnings’! They have usually been after times of a house move caused by David’s job re-locations or times when we believed God was asking us to go to a specific place for Him. They were always great opportunities to make a new start! Whether I wanted to or not! Sometimes it meant leaving a job, finding new friends, schools, and new house. I often wish we had chosen a place because of the church rather than the job or house. Every time it was like a New Year, an opportunity to take stock and review my priorities and where does God fit into all of these choices??

Peter in the Bible is such a wonderful example of someone who experienced several new beginnings! When Jesus first called him and his brother Andrew ‘Come after Me, follow Me,

and I will make you fishers of men! At once they left their nets and became His disciples’ (Matthew 4:19,20). What a change, a whole new lifestyle away from all the security of the family business, all his support network gone! 

Just think about no guaranteed income and not knowing if this will be temporary or forever! Times away from his wife and family (Matthew 8:14). Did he really count the cost or was it an impulsive decision from a man looking for something more than his everyday life.

As he watched this rabbi he had decided to follow, again his impulsiveness was rewarded with experiencing walking on water, (Matthew 14:29), but the storm he was distracted by was too great and he started to sink. As always Jesus held him and lifted him back into the boat and calmed the storm and Peter recognised who Jesus really was, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16) he thought the price was worth paying now he recognised the Messiah, (Matthew 26:33-35).

Not long after this Peter experienced going up a mountain with Jesus, and seeing Him changed before his eyes, (Matthew 17:1-4). He didn’t know what to make of it until he heard the voice of God say “This is My Son whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him” and Peter landed with his face in the dirt, terrified. But again Jesus reached out and touched him reassuring him, ‘don’t be afraid’!

Then all change again after falling asleep in a prayer meeting, (Matthew 26:40), resulting in Peter quickly denying his master as his life falls apart, (Matthew 26:74). Peter had had the most exciting three years of his life on a great spiritual, physical and emotional rollercoaster, but everything he had believed and sacrificed his all for was now lost. What next?

This was an enforced change but he did not have any idea what was ahead, after all he had really messed up! Then a glimmer of hope, he saw the linen cloths by themselves in the tomb, (Luke 24:12) Peter thought Jesus wouldn't want to see him as he had let Him down in His hour of greatest need! But God’s awesome love was there to appear to Simon Peter, (Luke 24:34), and the instructions he needed to show him the way ahead. After a truly supernatural fishing trip, Jesus checked out Peter’s heart with three of the most loaded questions to match his three denials, ‘Simon do you love Me more than these….?’ And following this Jesus commissioned Peter, ‘Feed My sheep,…. follow Me’ (John 21:17).

After Peter’s time waiting in obedience to the command of Jesus in the upper room for the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 1:13) he moved out in power and boldness to challenge the religious authorities of his day, (Acts 2:23) and perform miracles seeing thousands won into the Kingdom for his Lord and Friend.

I love the way that although Peter did plenty wrong in his impetuous way, Jesus was always there to restore him back to love and a close relationship. But Peter had to respond and receive Jesus’ forgiveness and forgive himself. He was not allowed a lot of time for a pity party.

When we blow it even though everything in us wants to run away from Jesus, just like Adam in the Garden of Eden, (Genesis 3:8) we have to turn our eyes onto Him, say sorry, take full responsibility for our mistakes and receive forgiveness and restoration. Don’t give up in discouragement. 

I have found that Satan tries to lead me away from God’s grace, and give me a load of things I must do to earn God’s forgiveness, but all I have to do is ‘believe in the Lord Jesus Christ’ then I will see the fruit of love, joy, peace and self-control grow from my heart full of love and gratitude to the One who has given me this amazing opportunity without any shame or blame, Jesus has taken it all.

Will you take this chance for a new beginning today?