Happy Sabbath, friends! In honor of my birthday yesterday, I wanted to share a message about new beginnings – the way God so tenderly transforms endings into opportunities for growth. Birthdays remind me not just of getting older, but of how God renews and refines us through every season. Each new chapter is a reminder that His mercies are new every morning and that He’s never finished writing our story. He teaches us to release the past, embrace the present, and trust Him fully with what’s ahead.

As I step into a new year of life, I can’t help but reflect on how much God has transformed my heart. This past year has been filled with growth, healing, and lessons that drew me closer to Him. Through every season – both joyful and hard – I’ve learned that with Christ, every day is an opportunity for renewal and purpose.

Maybe you just got out of a season where you felt stuck or trapped, and you’re finally feeling free. Maybe you are entering a hard season and miss the good ole days. Whatever the situation may be, God has an extraordinary plan in store for you and a plentiful future – we just need to trust in Him to lead the way.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

I am entering a new year of life which the Lord so kindly blessed me with, and I want to make the most out of this year – and the many more years to come, Lord willing. In the previous year of life, I learned so much about life, others, and myself. My overall goal for myself and with the Lord is that each day is a new day to be a better child of God than the person I was yesterday.

I can state in confidence that I have exhibited growth, strength, and perseverance within the past year. I went through a lot of hurt, growth, transformation, and most importantly, healing. A lot can happen in a year, but I am grateful to the Lord that I am not who I used to be.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22–24 (NIV)

“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13–14 (NIV)

“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.”
Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIV)

In the past year, I have made a conscious effort to grow my relationship with Christ each and every single day. I want Him to lead in my life, and I want to follow His ultimate plan for me as He knows me better than I know myself.

The more in tune with the Lord I became, the more Spirit-led I was. All my decisions were met with a question of, “Will this make me a better child of God?” or “Would the Lord participate in this activity with me?”

If the answer was no to either of those questions, I would take time to study and come to terms with the fact that whatever that thing was, it was not beneficial for me nor my spiritual life.

I want to challenge you that going forward, start asking yourself those questions before you act on something – even if it’s something you’ve always done. The Lord might enlighten you to a different perspective.

Being more in tune with the Lord has also filled me with a strength and discernment to recognize what I deserve in my life and what I do not deserve. In this past year, I have prioritized not only my spiritual well-being but my mental well-being as well.

If something was not bringing me joy, love, peace, or anything that represents and honors the Lord, I did not allow it to remain in my life.

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.”
Psalm 1:1–3 (NIV)

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs 13:20 (NIV)

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

I still have a lot of growing to do, and as each day passes by, the Lord enlightens me with more and more wisdom, allowing my relationship with Him to strengthen.

Going into this new year of life, I want to continue surrounding myself with people, places, and things that bring me closer to the Lord – not further away. I want to be surrounded by people, places, and things that exhibit a character similar to the Lord’s – loving, merciful, gracious, patient, and faithful.

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:8 (NIV)

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NIV)

“For the Lord is righteous, He loves justice; the upright will see His face.”
Psalm 11:7 (NIV)

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Psalm 103:8 (NIV)

“But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
Ephesians 2:4–5 (NIV)

Please know that you are going to stumble and fall – you are going to make mistakes – you are going to go through hardships. But we can rest in the truth that the Lord will stay by our side through it all.

I’ve had moments in my life when I’ve messed up or been in a low place, and people around me didn’t show the same kindness that the Lord pours upon me abundantly.

I want our Heavenly Father to shine through me everywhere I go – so much so that when people look at me, all they can see is Jesus. When others in my life stumble, make a mistake, or go through a hard time, I want to fill them with the same comfort and reassurance that the Lord has consistently given me, even when I’m not deserving of it.

We are all children in Christ, and we should love one another as He has loved us.

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”
1 John 4:11–12 (NIV)

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Prayer:
I pray over all who are reading this message that they may be filled with Your Spirit, Christ Jesus. I ask for You to pour Your abundant love, mercy, and grace over us forevermore. Please transform the hearts of those reading this message. Help them to forgive themselves for their pasts, mistakes, and failures, and fill them with the hope and perseverance to get back up and follow You.

May we always remember that Your timing and plan are perfect – and always for our good.

Amen.