(I had named my Blog “New Beginnings”. But as I did more and more research and studying, I thought… “this is real meat; not just milk and bread.” So, I renamed my blog, “The Meat Of The Story”; which is what I get into. If you just want just milk and toast, go to a “brick and mortar church”. If you want the TRUTH, keep reading. Here at YWPMI, you will get ONLY the truth; the “Meat of the story”.)
We are often told in the church that the Christian life is about perseverance, about pressing forward through faith, prayer, and good works. But the truth, hidden in the deeper layers of Scripture, reveals something more profound—something about how we begin and end each day in the arms of a God who knows our hearts. He sees not only the end from the beginning but also the intricate weaving of every step along the way. As believers, we are encouraged to trust in Him, not just when the journey is clear, but even in the fog and the moments when we don’t quite know where we’re headed. There is an often overlooked reality that our “beginnings” in life are not solely dependent on our own decisions or on circumstances.
In the book of 1 Timothy, the Apostle Paul speaks of a hope that is tied to something much deeper than human effort or ambition. “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.” (1 Tim 4:10) What Paul teaches us here is that it is not by our strength or wisdom that we live, but by the living God who is the true Savior of all people. When we understand that He is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe, we begin to grasp something critical: our lives, our beginnings, our every moment is rooted in Him, and He will lead us into paths of righteousness, even when we are uncertain.
Jeremiah 10:23 offers a sobering reality, one that reminds us of the limits of our understanding and planning. It says, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walks to direct his steps.” How often do we assume that our plans, our ambitions, or our goals are under our own control? We plan with precision, believing that we have mapped out the course for success. But Jeremiah speaks a hard truth, our path is not in our hands. God, who sees all and knows all, is the one who directs our steps. This doesn’t mean we are passive observers in life, waiting for God to work everything out while we sit idle. On the contrary, our labor and trust are essential, but they must be rooted in the understanding that our ways are subject to God’s sovereign will.
In Proverbs 16:1, the wisdom of Solomon offers another dimension to this concept: “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.” Our hearts may make plans, but the answer, the outcome, the fruition of our labor, those are from the Lord. This passage reminds us that our desires, our decisions, and our efforts, though often guided by sincere intentions, are ultimately governed by God’s will. When we begin a new season, a new chapter, or even a new day, we must first recognize that God is the ultimate author of all things, including our moments of beginning.
This recognition takes us to the next verse in Proverbs, where Solomon says, “A man’s heart devises his way: but the Lord directs his steps.” (Prov 16:9) Here we see that while we may devise our own way, it is ultimately the Lord who directs our steps. Every plan we make, every ambition we hold, is subject to God’s divine will. We often begin with the thought that we know where we are going, but in truth, we are led by a hand greater than our own. This is not to say that we do not take action or make decisions; rather, it teaches us humility, the acknowledgment that God’s plan for us is far better than anything we could have imagined.
As we look at the life of the believer, there are moments when God leads us into new beginnings, into new places and experiences we never anticipated. Sometimes, these beginnings are full of joy and excitement, living outside the box, as it were. At other times, they are marked by difficulty and struggle. However, the key to understanding new beginnings is not found in our circumstances but in our trust in God. He is not only the one who directs our steps but also the one who prepares us for what lies ahead.
Consider how the Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:13-14: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul’s words echo the idea of beginning anew. He is not bound by the past, nor does he cling to the mistakes and triumphs that came before. Instead, he presses forward, knowing that the path God has set before him is the true goal, and the prize is far greater than anything he could obtain on his own.
The new beginning for the believer is often a matter of shifting focus. It’s about letting go of past failures and regrets, but also releasing past successes and triumphs, so that God may continue to shape us in His image. Every beginning, whether great or small, is a chance to trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty. It is His call, not ours, that guides our path. We are invited into His plan, His purpose, and His promises, even when we cannot see the whole picture.
What does this mean for us as we face new beginnings in our lives? Whether it is a new job, a new relationship, a new season of life, or even a new year, it means we must let go of the illusion that we control the outcome. Our confidence is not in our own ability, but in God who directs our steps. It means acknowledging that our labor, our efforts, and our dreams are part of a greater plan—one that we may not always understand, but one that we can trust.
Sometimes, the new beginning comes with a deep sense of uncertainty, fear, or anxiety. We may feel that we are not equipped or ready for what lies ahead. Yet, the promise of Scripture is clear: God is with us. In Isaiah 41:10, God speaks directly to our hearts: “Fear not; for I am with you: be not dismayed; for I am your God: I will strengthen you; yea, I will help you; yea, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.” This promise tells us that even in the most uncertain of times, we can trust that God is holding us, strengthening us, and guiding us toward the purpose He has set before us.
In closing, the journey of new beginnings is not about starting over on our own terms. It is about trusting in the God who controls all things, who directs our paths, and who leads us into His perfect will. It is a journey of surrender, of releasing our plans and submitting to His guidance, knowing that He is always at work within us. Every new beginning is an opportunity to align our hearts with His, to trust Him for the path ahead, and to rest in the assurance that He, and He alone, is the One who makes all things new.
So, as you face new beginnings in your own life, remember that God is the One who has already paved the way. Trust in His timing, in His plan, and in His will, knowing that the steps you take are ultimately directed by the hand of a loving and faithful God. As you step forward, you can be assured that, though the way may be unknown, He is with you, and He will never leave you nor forsake you.
Shalom. Maranatha!
And THAT, is….
