Christian Perspectives – A Fresh Start

March 19, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Jay Wagstaff

Compass Community Church

We are well into the season of Lent, a word we traditionally associate with the 40 days leading into Easter.

This is often a time of year when we give something up so we can focus in a more meaningful way on the events surrounding the cross and the death of Christ.

But the original meaning of the word Lent had simpler meaning.

The word Lent simply comes from the Old English word for “spring“, it’s where we get the word “lengthen” from because the days get longer. Lent signifies a time of re-birth and new beginnings.

We have just experienced a time change, the days are indeed getting longer, and we are even starting to see some flowers and new life spring up from their wintery sleep. Lent is indeed a time of change and of new life.

Where would you like to see “Lent”…”Spring”…”New Beginnings” applied in your life?

Where could you use a fresh start?

Where in your life would you just like to push the reset button?

Maybe it’s in your job, or perhaps your health? (Spring is always a great time to get back in shape). Maybe a relationship in your life could use a fresh start?

Where are you stale?

Where would you love the opportunity to forget some bitter disappointments or the frustration of routine? Lent is here and new shoots of life are ready to spring up.

But in order for a seed to sprout, the outer casing first has to fall away, or surrender to the new life inside of it.

The same is true with our lives. Sometimes we have to let go a little, maybe a lot, for our fresh start to be experienced or revealed.

We are given the opportunity every day to be made new in Christ; not by our might or effort, but by our surrender.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ the new creation has come. The old is gone and the new is here. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 )

See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up (or “Lents” up)

Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19)

We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life ( Romans 6:4)

This season of Lent, why not consider the areas in life you can surrender to our loving God and allow Him to breathe new life into?

After all, there’s nothing like a fresh start!