In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Here we are at the beginning of a new year. I’m beginning to type again after breaking my wrist in November 2022. I’m beginning to drive again, and very shortly I hope to start wall climbing again, once I have built up a bit more strength in my weaken wrist. January 2023, a year of beginning again after a painful accident.

God is the God of new beginnings. In Genesis 1:1 we read, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” It’s hard for us to imagine a world without form, without days, without time or seasons. But the Bible teaches us that there was a time before the beginning when God existed. Then God began to work. He began to create all that we see and know, only it was in its most utterly perfect form. By the end of the sixth day of God beginning to create, he had made a perfect world, without death, disease, sorrow or grief of any kind.

For a short period of time the world and the human beings God created lived in a perfect paradise. Then came the painful incident of sin, which brought broken relationships, rivalry, death, destruction, disease and decay. That is what we see and know today. Although we still live in a beautiful world, it is no longer perfect. Death through sin reigns. War rages. Greed has left most of the world in poverty. Illness and disease are just part of everyday life. There isn’t a family on earth who hasn’t suffered and grieved. Utter perfection was ruined.

But God didn’t abandon His creation, or the people he loves. He promised that a saviour would come to give us a new beginning, and that is what John’s Gospel teaches us. A new beginning for mankind started over two thousand years ago with the birth of Jesus Christ the Messiah. John records for us the ministry of Jesus as He taught a new way of living, a new religious understanding, a new hope for people burdened by the difficulties of life. Jesus taught that through Him, and Him alone, man could enter a new relationship with God that would result in eternal life with Him in a new heaven and new earth, where sin can no longer bring its death and destruction. Sin will never reign again, because everyone in that new heaven and earth will have experienced its devastating consequences and will never want to return to the old ways.

For those who have never turned to Jesus for salvation, He offers you a new beginning of life with Him. For those who once walked with him, but have fallen away, he offers a new beginning as well. Every day he offers all of His children a fresh start, for The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23.

January 2023 can be our new beginning walking ever closer to the Lover of our souls.