Friday, June 12, 2009

Beginnings


Luke 4 tells us that Jesus is led out into the wilderness by Satan to be tempted.  Novelist Chaim Potok has pointed out that all beginning are hard.  Beginnings are often crucial, too.  Jesus was launching his public ministry.  A mistake would have been disastrous.  At the end of the temptations, having failed this time, 'he left him until an opportune time.'  The temptations weren't over, Satan was just waiting for a 'better day'.

It might be important for each of us to consider where Satan might attack us as we begin this process of healing and discovery.  Examine your own heart and mind.  Where are you harboring enmity or sin?  Let's invite God to convict us and purify us as we begin this part of our journey together!

2 comments:

Lesalou said...

Beginnings have often been more of a worry and stressful situation for me than endings tend to be..
I think it's because it's starting something new all over and I know I'm starting at the beginning and I hate that. I hate being the new person at work that "doesn't know anything", I like being the one who has been there forever who knows how everything works. Same with relationships, I hate dating and meeting people. It's a hassle lol. I want to meet someone, be best friends and then marry them.

I'm reading Luke 4 right now, be excited =)

Ryan Gibbons said...

I AM excited you are reading Luke 4!

I too, know the fear that comes with starting something from scratch! I think that is the most difficult part of this business idea with JP, or starting a new Church...how many unknowns are involved there? I'm not even talking about the scary things I can see, what about the things I CAN'T see?

And yet, it's so important to build on a solid foundation, so how do I move past the fear on to the more important things?