New Beginnings
“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)
Most people have something that they didn’t want to try at all as a child because it didn’t look great to them. Stuff like broccoli, public speaking and swimming come to mind. You have to try it though to know what it feels like; some might be validated in saying that the experience was horrifying while others may find themselves in love with that thing. It’s the specific fear of trying something new.
Teenagers and young adults get the great opportunity to try new things all the time with the new freedom that is given to them. Some will start High School or College, while others are about to start careers, relationships and opportunities galore. All of those are wonderful blessings to always thank Yahweh for (Psalm 100:4).
New opportunities are scary because you don’t know the outcome. No one knows the outcome of your first swimming lesson or first day of school. The only way to combat fear is through faith in Yeshua. The Bible says in Luke 12:22 - 26 “do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn, yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than the birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?”
The book of Mark recounts the story of Yeshua calming the storm with just the power of His word and then proceed to ask the disciples if they still had no faith, in order to explain their fear (Mark 4:35 - 41, key verses 39 - 40). It doesn’t take a lot to shake many people from their beliefs, but do not be afraid of anything if you have an Almighty God who loves you and can do anything (Ephesians 3:20).
Some of us may see a situation and feel as if it is too much for us; Yahweh has you covered for that. A prime example would be the story of Moses, who tried to tell the Lord that he couldn’t speak in front of people, just to be given his brother Aaron to help him in that thing (Exodus 4:10 - 17; 7 - 1). Another famous example is Jonah, who ran away from Yahweh and his destiny by trying to not go to Nineveh. But Yahweh brought him on an amazing journey to prove that he would be there with Jonah, no matter what (Jonah 1:1 - 3:10).
Whatever your new beginning may be, whether it be a new relationship, project,or even a blog for young adults and teenagers, do not be afraid to confide yourself in the Messiah. He will alleviate your doubts and instill faith in you to replace the fear. He has never abandoned you and will not give you what you need to accomplish the plans that he has made for you long before you were born.