The Power of a New Beginning

There is always something special about the month of January. Regardless of what we have accomplished or the goals we have failed to achieve; there is always a window of time where it seems that any change is possible. Other than the weather or maybe an anticipated tax return, what is the difference between a day in January from a day in August? The only difference lies in believe and expectation; and this difference can make all the difference. It is the power of a new beginning. You can see it all over our society as people make resolutions to lose pounds and break habits that they have reinforced all year long. Without much of a plan people embark on this endeavor to change, simply because they think that things will be different this time. Unfortunately, most will fail.

So how does a person desiring to make a real change in their life grab a hold of lasting change? The answer is not found in a quick or shallow resolution. It comes from a resolved decision about the direction and purpose of one’s life. Like in the Old Testament, it can come from the building of an alter. Alters can be a place of worship, but in this context it is a place of sacrifice, consecration, and commitment. The ultimate change agent is the Spirit of the Living God; and in order for us to not only draw close to Him, but also draw Him nigh unto us, we must be willing to truly commit to a lifestyle of prayer, fasting, and separation.

If we are resolved to create a plan consisting of these ingredients, we can be like the children of God in Exodus 12:1-2: And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you (KJV). God’s people lived in captivity for years until their purpose, appointed time, and prayers had finally aligned. Their sought after window of opportunity had been created, and no longer would they be held captive to the rulers of their known world. In the same way our purpose, our appointed time, and our prayers are aligned; and any person reading these ramblings can free themselves from the spiritual captivity of this world. Just as the Lord proclaimed to Moses, January can be the first month of the rest of your life.

Author: Phil Carney