How to Begin Again

Every ministry I touch turns to ash, my perfectionist self handed down the verdict as I wandered memory lane. My heart squeezed tight as I felt the truth of it.

God can’t use me because I just mess things up. The lie felt like a heavy weight around my shoulders and though I knew it was a lie – know it is a lie – the weight still hangs heavy.

How do I begin again when all my clothes are stained by ash? Or when it seems so futile?

But God reminds us…

“…though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

The ash is washed away…And what seems impossible?

‘Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”’ Mark 10:27

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20

God is able to do things that we cannot do, He is able to do more than we can even imagine. And still

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8

So we must pray as Jesus did:

“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39

In order to begin again we must stand in the forgiveness Jesus won for us on the cross. Then we must walk in the power of God who is able to do more than all we can imagine. And as we walk we must trust God despite what circumstances look like that He is in control and He has what is best for us in mind.

Beginning again takes faith to trust the God whose ways are not our ways to give us the power we need to walk in His will despite what circumstances He allows to come to our lives.

In what ways are you beginning again today?