#goodstarts

A Fresh Exchange (#wtsdevo goodstarts)

“And leaving everything, he rose and followed him.” -Luke 5:28

The best part about fresh starts is that they can happen any day at any time. That means it's okay if you've already relapsed from your New Year’s resolution. Every breath is a chance. The idea is simple enough, but the actual manifestation isn't so easy. It requires much more from us than just the decision or the will to start afresh. We need to be fully surrendered—emptied of anything in God's way of changing us. He is the power that both leads us to change and sustains it.

For some of us it could mean letting go of everything. For others it may not be so drastic. But none of us have put on the new without first taking off the old. Every fresh start begins with the detox of emptying out the former. As Christ bids us to come follow Him, we can let go knowing that anything He offers is infinitely better than what we leave behind.

In this verse we read of Levi, a tax collector, who was actually on the clock when Jesus called him. This was his job, his security, his comfort he exchanged in an instant for a new beginning with Jesus. It was risky and the cost was great, but the reward was immensely greater. We can safely trust our lives under His lordship. Even if we forsake all else, our temporal loss is eternal gain (Matthew 19:29, Philippians 3:8).

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Devotional Series: Good Starts (#wtsdevo goodstarts)

Greatness starts from the small (#wtsdevo goodstarts)

Small beginnings have defined some landmark and memorable moments throughout the Bible and these have proved that no matter how small, little or in-significant a start has been, the impact it makes is incredible. At first it may seem like our start isn't all that awesome or worthy enough to be remembered down the road. It might look weird, awful or even embarrassing. But fast-forward time and how you feel about your start may surely change.

The impressive trees you see around you don't all start like that. In the beginning they are little tiny seeds or plants. But with time they end up becoming mighty and majestic in size providing shelter and making our world a tree-more beautiful. Nature aside, taking some examples from the Bible - consider Moses. His greatest story started from his exile - forgotten and insignificant. But as time progressed, he became one of the greatest prophets with one of the greatest stories in the Bible. Even better - Jesus! His story started in the most insignificant of circumstances. No one really knew Him or even cared. But fast forward to today, and there is no greater name than the Name of Jesus. 

What I am trying to share is that, greatness can be achieved without having to have your beginning all great and mighty. All that is needed is a whole lot of faith and belief. Belief in that you will reach the finish line of your journey and faith that nothing will come your way knowing that Jesus is leading you to where you should be. Time will pass but God will reward your patience and faithfulness with something beyond your expectations. ____________________________________________