New Beginnings...

I absolutely love the beginning of a new school year! I remember as a student how much I looked forward to starting fresh with a clean slate. Everything from the previous year (my successes and failures) were a distant memory, and everything became new. With the new school year came a fresh mindset that some things just had to change if I was going to anticipate and expect a different outcome.

Change - it's a constant in our lives, and a necessity. All living things must change if there is going to be growth and fruitfulness. This holds true in every area of our lives. If we're going to be in shape physically, we need to exercise and eat healthy. That's a problem for me because I love to eat ice-cream! If we're going to be sharp intellectually, we need to stretch ourselves academically. Perhaps consider taking that honors class, as hard as it may seem to be. Spiritual growth comes through change as well. Trading in what we think is best to embrace what God says is best. How can we know what God thinks is best? We open His Word and find verse after verse that speaks to us in every aspect and area of our lives. Then, we become doers of His Word, by living out what His Word teaches us.

The Apostle Paul understood the necessity of new beginnings. It was Paul that said "forgetting those things that are behind...I press on toward the goal."

Want to have a good year? Want something to change in your life? Try doing something new. Forget what is behind, and move forward. Give this year your best effort! And don't forget...make time for God!

PK