A Fresh Start

The prospect of being given fresh opportunities is a welcomed dream for many, but then for others, this may be a frightening perspective to behold. Some of us welcome change and others don’t. We may accept or decline based on our conditions, circumstances, or contexts. To forge ahead in the new has its merits and demerits. We are encouraged to be courageous, adventurous, trusting, and faithful throughout the process. Once there is resistance to change, there is then the possibility for the elements of stagnation to creep in and then we become stuck.  Ecclesiastes 3: 1 records the following:

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun”.

Solomon's view of nature; suggests that life and our activities are curtailed by time. It is an inescapable fact. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, time is defined as an appointed, fixed, or customary moment or hour for something to happen, begin or end.  We are called to reconcile that some situations or circumstances will cease, while at the same moment, opportunities exist to start afresh and dive into something new.

At the same occurrence, we are called to be good stewards of our time. If we are good stewards of the moments, opportunities and relationships we have, especially with those around us, we become productive and fruitful. A summary of Matthew 25:13-30 records a parable in which a man was going away on a journey, and he entrusted his wealth to his servants for a time.  He apportioned his valuables in accordance with the abilities of his servants. The one who received the largest portion had put his employer’s money to work and doubled what he was given. This was also the same for the one who received just a little bit less than his other colleague. However, the one who got the smallest portion dug a hole and hid his master’s money. After some time, the man returned and conducted an audit of his money. He expected his servants to invest his wealth rightly, however all did except for one. The reward for those who invested wisely was promotion, increase and favour.  However, the one who hid his master’s money was rebuked and chided for his lack of industry. This employee’s response was due to fear because he did not foresee the value of what it meant to be entrusted with just a little. The outcome was that he was thrown out of his master’s house to face the harsh conditions of life.

Have some of our decisions been similar to that of the third servant?

 Perhaps we should aim to learn from the mistakes he made. He unfortunately did not make the best use of his time, nor the talent entrusted to him by his master. Also, his attitude showed the errors of his assumptions. Being entrusted with more does not necessarily mean that you are more favored. We are all called to make the best use of what we are given.

While we hope for good outcomes from our choices, moments and situations, we are not offered the promise of permanence for those good things. Matthew 6:34 says take no thought for tomorrow. What this suggests is that we are to make the most of what we have now. Possibly,  we may  currently face anxious moments and bitter experiences, because we did not comprehend or value those previous moments of opportunities. We may even desire to go back to those past moments so that we can undo our choices or mistakes.  For some of us, we may even revisit those good or interesting times in our lives, through our thoughts and wish to stay there.

Whatever the situation,

it is hard to accept,

however, we are told,

those moments are gone,

and they will not return.

In Jesus Christ, there is always good news. Today is a new day and we are given a fresh start to maximize currently what is on our plate. There is an invitation to sit at Jesus’ table. In His presence, He gives us His insight and perspective on time. Hopefully, we will learn the lessons and make good use of them. It is time for us to arise and build together.  Welcome to your fresh start.  Shalom.