A blank notebook. January 1. Moving to a new town, or beginning classes at a new school. There’s something alluring – albeit still terrifying sometimes – to most of us about fresh starts. Call it a blank canvas, a new beginning, a rebirth, whatever you prefer; we like the idea of starting again without the baggage of whatever happened before.
I’ve been thinking about this for the last few months, in some measure since accepting a new job, but more markedly since beginning this position. One aspect for which I’ve been extremely grateful is the opportunity to set new patterns and habits. It’s easier to leave unproductive and unhelpful – dare I even say sinful – behaviors and attitudes behind and cultivate more positive ones – the fruit of the Spirit, in many cases – when no one knows your “normal” and the only expectation your coworkers have is that you’ll show up and do your job. I would like to think that I’ve made at least a good effort at that over the last 3 months, but any success I’ve seen therein is really the power of the Holy Spirit at work in my life.
It seems fitting to address these thoughts this week, then, as we prepare for Resurrection Sunday. The true new beginning, the only rebirth that really matters, would be impossible were it not for this. It doesn’t matter how many times we begin again at new jobs for new companies in new towns; some things have a way of following us around regardless. But in Christ’s resurrection we find a reminder, and we find hope. The reminder, of course, is of what has already taken place: Jesus has already died, has already purchased for us freedom from the penalty of our sins, has already assured pardon and righteousness before God. The hope is that one day, all – not only our default responses and attitudes and patterns, not just our physical bodies, not just our natures, but truly ALL things, heaven and earth and all that is contained therein – will be made new.
Some new beginnings are better than others. As Easter approaches, let’s cultivate an awareness and a spirit of thankfulness for the one that really counts.