What brand new thing is God doing for me now? The verse from Isaiah says that God is going to do something “brand-new”. God moves with us from the present moment into the future, into new and hopeful beginnings. And God, most importantly, is never left behind. But the graces of those times and the memories of the past can come with us. When we look back on a past year or past relationship or past situation, we may nostalgically long to return to that place. It’s also important to consider our friendship with God who meets us wherever we are. Who are my friends who can help me in my journey forward? They may help us in our transition or they may help encourage us to awaken dreams. Are there any things that I can get rid of at this point in my life, things unhelpful to my journey? What do I need to let go of?Īt this new beginning, what are my hopes? FRIENDSHIPįriendships can be very important to new beginnings. Saint Ignatius speaks of so-called “disordered attachments”, things we’re attached to that are not helpful to growing closer to God and our True Self. Sometimes new beginnings are chances to take a look at the things we’re holding onto. Can I claim my selfhood, my own identity, loved and given by God? ATTACHMENTS & HOPES But in those resolutions are we staying true to ourselves or trying to be someone different? When Jesus offers someone a new beginning, he’s simply calling them to be themselves, their best selves. When we’re in a new situation, at the beginning of a new year, or in a new state of mind it’s natural to make resolutions. God frees the oppressed, Jesus heals and restores, and the Holy Spirit imbues new life. The stories in scripture show time and time again that God offers people a new beginning, another chance for great things. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands.” (Isaiah 43:18-19) “Forget about what’s happened don’t keep going over old history. What new beginning am I experiencing now? How am I feeling at this point? … I sit for a while with that feeling. They can occur with a romantic breakup, a move to a new city, a new job, a new child, or another life event. New beginnings do not just happen at the beginning of a new year.
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