The groom stands anxiously at the altar with brilliant sunlight silhouetting his frame as he shifts slightly back and forth. The minister whispers words of encouragement to him while music swirls providing a blended atmosphere of festivity and anticipation.
The processional begins, and when the music changes to signal the arrival of the bride, the groom does the most curious thing- he turns his back to the congregation. Overcome with emotion he must take a moment to calm his feelings and gather his courage to receive his bride.
As the bride enters, the groom turns, and despite the tears glimmering in his eyes, hope and love radiate from him in palpable waves.
What is so beautiful about this particular wedding is that it is not just the joining of two individuals or the blending of two families, but a new beginning.
A chance to start again and do things differently.
I understand this opportunity oh too well. You see, my husband and I shared that same journey. Two lives apart riddled with past mistakes, wrong choices, regrets and failures.
Fast forward twenty-seven years- we sit happily together and watch another couple embark on the same journey- a journey of leaving their past behind and starting over.
We are a testament that new beginnings are possible.
Elana Arnold proposes: “Perhaps that is where our choice lies -- in determining how we will meet the inevitable end of things, and how we will greet each new beginning.”
Our viewpoint of new beginnings is significant; however, having God entwined in its roots is supreme.
Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Our God is a God of mercy, forgiveness & new beginnings.
When you turn over your past, surrendering everything into God’s hands and trusting that He will make a new thing you can be confident God will succeed.
Simply stated - it is impossible for God to fail!
So, whatever you have in your life that is broken, failures and shame you carry or mistakes that haunt you…. God is your answer. Because God alone can take something utterly broken and make a masterpiece.
Just as that groom stood consumed with loving emotion to receive his new bride- his new beginning, God stands in wait for you. He stands in the sunlight anxiously waiting for you.
Waiting for you to come to Him.
Waiting for you to seek His healing and mercies.
Waiting for you to turn over your past mistakes and regrets.
Waiting for you to trust Him with your future.
He waits patiently for you, holding out His hand and inviting you to embark with Him on a journey that leaves the past long forgotten and promises the dawn of a new beginning.
Father, we are so thankful that you are a God that gives new beginnings. Your mercies are fresh and new each day and your love endures forever. All good things come from your hands and we can confidently come to you surrendering all our mistakes, misdeeds and failures and trust that you are able to make a masterpiece giving us a new start.
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