A Prayer for New Beginnings
By Amanda Idleman
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:19
When one season comes to a close, and we see new doors open for our lives, we need space to process grief while simultaneously embracing the joy that comes when we start something new. We often don’t feel things in a vacuum. Each new experience offers a mixture of positive and negative feelings, and that's okay.
One comfort we can rely on when we step into something new is the peace that comes from the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we connect to God, hear his voice and confidently follow his lead there is a restfulness that permeates our souls. If God is for us who can be against us (Romans 8:31)?
Recently, we experienced the joy and uncertainty of making decisions about a new era in our home. Our youngest two kids are preparing to enter school in the next few years. Since they joined our family, we have prayed over what God’s best would be for them. We have committed to homeschooling our three older kids, but the addition of the younger two has come with a different set of considerations and needs. Personally, I have agonized over what would be best as we approach a new season in our home.
Right when I thought I knew what was best for my kids, based on what felt safe, known, and familiar, God, through the gracious gift of his Holy Spirit, confirmed that he had a different plan for our young kids. What I love about God’s leading is that while we may still feel grieved, anxious, or unsure about the details, we can still step forward with confidence because we know God is making our paths straight. We can trust his gentle leading. What’s even more true is that while I may not be a perfect Mom for my kids, God is a perfect God for them. He loves them with an unrelenting love that I can trust.
As you embrace the next right step in your life, ask God and his guiding presence to go before you! I’ve experienced some scary ‘new beginnings’ in my life, as I am sure you have too, but as long as the Lord was with me on the journey, I have only seen God do exceedingly above and beyond all I could think or imagine. Even the hardest, most broken places in which we have cried out for him to do something new! We have seen God do the impossible, and our lives have been transformed. May you taste and see the goodness of God in this new beginning.
Let’s Pray
Father, I ask that you go before me in this new season. That your Holy Spirit would guide me and give me rest when I wrestle with my own doubts, grief, and fear. Would you do more than we could ever do on our own! Be the faithful miracle-working God that we read about in your Word. Show up on our behalf and make our path straight. We thank you for a new beginning, new blessings, and new joy. Your grace is sufficient to meet all our needs. Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/kieferpix
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Originally published Sunday, 11 February 2024.
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