Begin Again
Devotional week 26
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 13-14 (ESV)
The alarm goes off. A new day begins….
Some mornings, we wake up excited about what lies ahead. A new opportunity. A new challenge. A prayer answered. Other mornings are different. The responsibility is still waiting. The uncertainty has not disappeared. The grief remains. The work is unfinished. Opening our eyes and facing the day requires courage.
Many of us know what it feels like to start again when life is not exactly how we hoped it would be. I learned this during a demanding season of health challenges. I still had dreams, plans, and goals, but progress felt slower than I expected. Some days, the victory was simply taking the next step and choosing hope again. Trusting God again.
Progress became smaller. One more step. One more decision to keep going. One more morning choosing hope. One more opportunity to trust God again.
And slowly, I started realizing: Maybe the small steps were not interruptions to the journey. Maybe they were on the journey. Because this is often where God works. Not only in the big moments we celebrate, but also in the quiet moments where we faithfully show up.
Our struggles, our victories, our questions, and our stories create opportunities for connection. They remind us that every person around us is carrying something. Some wounds are visible. Many are not. For one person, it might be physical pain. For another, it might be grief after losing someone they love. For someone else, it might be financial pressure, uncertainty about the future, challenges at work, or carrying the burden of someone they care about.
But beginning again is not only needed after difficult moments. Sometimes we begin again after something beautiful. When children grow up and leave home. When a chapter we loved comes to an end. When a dream becomes reality. Change often invites us to ask: How do I step into what is next?
That is what makes the words of Lamentations so powerful. They were written in a season of grief and loss, yet the writer could still say, "His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning."
Every morning brings fresh mercy for today's challenges. Not next week's. Not next year's. Today's.
Paul expressed a similar perspective when he wrote:
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal..." (Philippians 3:13–14)
Our goal is Christ. To know Him. To become more like Him. To reflect Him wherever He has placed us. And for most of us, that place is not a stage. It is our workplace. Our homes. Our friendships. The conversations we have every day.
A life with Christ creates questions. Not because everything is perfect. But because people see hope when life is hard. Humility when things go well. Peace when circumstances change.
So begin again. Not because yesterday was a failure. But because today is another opportunity to walk with Christ and reflect Him. One step. One conversation. One small gesture at a time.
Challenge
Is there an area of your life where you need a fresh start with God?
This week, bring it before Him. Take one faithful step forward and trust Him for the next one.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. When I feel discouraged, uncertain, or tired, remind me that I do not walk alone. Amen.
A Tent International Devotional