God Specializes in New Beginnings

Have you ever wanted to have a do-over in real life? We have to realize that because the past is already done, we can't really do things over. But what you can have is a fresh start. We can have a new start because God specializes in fresh beginnings for people. In Psalm 145 it says, "God gives a fresh start to those ready to quit." If you've ever felt like quitting, God can show you today that you can have a new start regardless of your background, regardless of what you've done, regardless of what you haven't done, regardless if your life is messed up.

The Blind Man's Bold Faith

Let’s look at the story of a blind man from Mark 10:46-52. This story happened in Jericho, the first city that the children of Israel encountered when they came to the promised land. There they found a ferocious enemy, the walled city of Jericho. Jericho is made famous by the little song that says, "the walls came tumbling down." Jericho is a city of miracles.

On this day, there was a blind man, the blind man of Jericho, and he got to receive his miracle. The passage tells us, "Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus, which means son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside begging" (Mark 10:46).

Seize the Moment

That's what the blind man did. He recognized an opportunity and he jumped on it. In a life of faith, you must take the initiative. And this is the starting point, seizing the moment at hand.

"When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, 'Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me'" (Mark 10:47). He heard some commotion going on, and when he found out it was Jesus, he was not going to let that moment pass. He just started yelling for Jesus. This might be the only time he thought that Jesus ever passed by him on his intersection of the road near Jericho. He was not going to let this chance pass by.

Now, sometimes we know the path we need to go for hope, for healing, for health, for following God, but just never quite get around to it. Moses had a special prayer in Psalm 90:12: "Teach us to number our days, that we might gain a heart of wisdom." When we have a chance to go with God, we have got to take it.

Tame Your Fears

If you're going to make a fresh start, you're going to have to do something about fear. Fear is always lurking around every corner wanting to hold you back, to keep you from moving forward in your faith.

"Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he just shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me'" (Mark 10:48). They were like, "Look, blind guy, keep it down, will you? Jesus has more important people than you to worry about." But he didn't care. This was his one chance to speak out and to find Jesus.

The fear of human opinion disables, but trusting in God protects you from that (Proverbs 29:25). People pleasing will get you stuck. It'll keep you stuck right where you are. And God is calling each of us to say, no matter what other people say, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Announce Your Faith

That's what the blind man did. He shouted his faith for everyone to hear. It's important if you want to start over that you announce your intentions. Secret faith is shallow faith. Strong faith means that you're willing to talk about it.

"'What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asked him. The blind man said, 'Rabbi, I want to see'" (Mark 10:51-52). Jesus didn't just want to heal him. Jesus wanted him to say it aloud. When blind Bartimaeus said, "I want you to heal me. I want to see," he was saying, "I believe that you are the son of God. I believe that you have the power to heal."

And guess what? The question that Jesus asked blind Bartimaeus is the same question he's asking you and me: “What do you want me to do for you?” That's what Jesus is asking you every day.

Receive God's Grace

"'Go,' said Jesus, 'your faith has healed you.' Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road" (Mark 10:52). God wanted this blind man to have a fresh start. And God wants you to have a fresh start.

In John 1:16, it says, "Out of the fullness of his grace, he has blessed us all, giving us one blessing after another." God's grace isn't just for salvation. It's for healing, it's for growth. It's for a fresh start in life. It's a free gift. You can't earn it or deserve it.

Take the Next Step

The next step is the most important, because if you don't take the next step, you get in a rut. When you have faith, it's not just in your heart. It also becomes action, it becomes motion.

The blind man didn't just receive his sight, "he followed Jesus along the road." He was off and running. He was no longer a beggar. He is now an evangelist. He's going to go tell everybody what Jesus can do for them.

So now's your time. Now's your chance. Now is the time for you to follow God in the next step in your life. In 1 Corinthians 1:30 it says, "Everything we have - right thinking and right living, a clean slate and fresh start - comes from God by way of Jesus Christ."

You have a chance for a fresh start today. Don't let fear keep you back. Don't let procrastination keep you from finding what God has for you. Today is the day that in Jesus, he has called you to make a fresh start.

Reflection

• What moment is God calling you to seize right now? What fears or social pressures are trying to keep you quiet like the crowd that told Bartimaeus to be silent?

• If Jesus asked you today, "What do you want me to do for you?", what would be your honest answer? Are you willing to announce that faith publicly?

• Bartimaeus immediately followed Jesus after receiving his miracle. What "next step" is God calling you to take in your faith journey this year?

Application

Don't let fear or procrastination keep you from the fresh start God has for you. Like Bartimaeus, you need to: seize the moment (recognize God's opportunity), tame your fears (don't let social pressure silence you), announce your faith (go public with your commitment), receive God's grace (accept God’s free gift), and take the next step (move forward in action).

Write down one specific step you will take this year to grow closer to God, maybe it's daily prayer, reading Scripture, serving others, getting baptized, or something else God is calling you to do. Remember, "everything we have - right thinking and right living, a clean slate and fresh start - comes from God by way of Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Prayer

Loving God, we come before you knowing that each one of us needs a fresh start. Each one of us needs to follow you more carefully and dedicate our hearts to follow you with all that we have. I pray, Lord, that today would be the day of life change. Show me the way, and help my first response to be "Yes, Lord" before you even finish speaking. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen