FRESH START
A devotional about God who is ready to help us have a fresh start.
Greetings! Happy June!
SCRIPTURE:
When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth. —Genesis 8:11—
THOUGHT:
This morning, after 77 days, I wandered out into the world around me. It was WONDERFUL! Although technically it was hot, the fresh air, and the warm sunshine felt amazing! In my home, I often had the curtains pulled back or the windows open and I enjoyed it but it is not the same as being outdoors.
As I actually enjoyed the Houston heat, it felt new and fresh and welcoming. I realized I had started the month of June on a new adventure while going back to work. Admittedly, it was a little scary and I also must openly tell you I was beginning to feel a speck of agoraphobia. Yet, when I mustered up the strength, I was able to go and loved it! Of course, we will still need to be very careful as we slowly enter back into our society because the pandemic is not yet over. Still, I felt a newness that I was unable to experience behind the four walls of my home. Getting out amongst people (social distancing of course) and talking to faces that I had only seen on ZOOM for so many weeks, was such a warm and great way to start off the summer months.
Reflecting on the scripture above and similar ones, I believe God also acknowledges the importance of a new start and a fresh beginning. In Genesis, you will recall the story of Noah’s Ark. Since we were little children, we have enjoyed and learned from this story about so many things. One of those lessons though is the importance to God of starting over. He could have destroyed ALL of the earth, ALL of the people, and that would have been that, as they say. Yet, God didn’t do that and instead elected to give us another chance. I believe it is significant that the Bible uses the words “freshly” plucked olive leaf, when referring to the dove that returned to the ark. It didn’t say olive leaf or plucked leaf but used the entire phrase to emulate the significance of the new beginning.
In this HOPEFULLY SOON era post Covid-19, there is a new chance for a fresh start for many things. We can benefit from what we’ve learned as we breech the boundaries of isolation and quarantine. We have learned that we can always be more careful with our cleanliness. We can be aware of personal space with social distancing and it’s OK if someone doesn’t want to sit right next to you. We have learned “how” to clean surfaces appropriately. We have learned innovative ways to be safe and healthy.
More than the physical cleanliness though, we have learned many other important, and most of all, “Godly” lessons. We have learned how much we love and miss our friends, family members, and co-workers and that love generates from God. We have learned the importance of having pride in our work as we return, just as Paul and Stephen and Timothy and John and countless others had pride in their “jobs” to proclaim the Gospel. We have learned how important ALL jobs are and how important ALL people are – like grocery workers, restaurant workers who are willing to work curbside, maintenance workers, and the list goes on endlessly. I remember a quote from a TV show that said: “There is not a “bad” job as long as you do your best at it.” We have learned how precious work is to us and to Gods’ Kingdom and are so happy to get back to doing His Work in whatever capacity that encompasses. Transversely, we have learned how to rest from that work. God created the Sabbath for a reason. We have learned to be compassionate to those who may not be able to return to a job that no longer exists. We have learned how to be innovative in creating jobs for those in need. We have learned genius ways to accommodate new needs and to adjust current products to “work” in a different situation. We have learned how to pray to our God for those who put their lives on the line every day in the name of God. Whether they are Christian, Jewish, Islam, and atheists – they are Gods’ children and they who work in the health field saved us and worked tirelessly for Gods’ people. We have learned how to reach out to people all over the world, no matter what country or language or skin color, because God knows and loves all His Children.
God is a God of newness and freshness. God is a creative God. God is a God of second chances. God is a God of starting over. God is a God of compassion. God is a God who simultaneously promotes hard work and rest. God is a God of understanding of the importance of doing our best. God is a God of innovation. God is a God of healing. God is a God of ALL.
PRAYER:
Thank You God for being the one, true and most amazing God. You have taught us so much during this troubling time. Thank you for Your Protection. Thank You for bringing us slowly and carefully back together. Thank You God. We love you.
AMEN.
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