The new year is here, along with renewed dreams and aspirations. We all look forward to a fresh start as time has turned the page in the book of life and we each dive into this next chapter. Every chapter in this book of life seems as though it was written for us, as we were each presented with numerous hurdles, including both hills and valleys. We each stand to learn from yesterday, and not stay living in there. None of us can go back and undo any of our past mistakes and shortcomings, yet each of us have the choice of becoming successful moving forward. We can start that journey for the first time as kingdom building men and women, as we fulfill Gods desires for us each here on earth.
Looking back on 2022, we can each commit to allowing God to take the lead more than what we naturally think to do, knowing that He has greater plans than any of us can possibly comprehend.
God has been there through the highs and lows throughout each of our lives. In recent years much of the time, we’ve found ourselves more fearful than we have been fearless. May the work that we each do and the way that we do it, bring faith, joy, and a smile to all that we encounter. Success is not what any of us has done compared to others. Instead, success is what we each have done compared to what we were supposed to do as if through the eyes of Jesus.
We can each be reminded to reflect on scripture for guidance in our new beginnings:
1. New beginnings happen in seasons.
Life can be so wonderfully measured by its seasons. Fall starts with the shedding of colorful leaves; winter begins with a cold bed of snow; spring begins with the sprouting of new life; and summer begins with warm sunny days. Ecclesiastes 3:1-5 says,
“To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;”
There’s a time for everything in life. How great a confidence this brings us to know that we can expect a warmer season after a colder one. In the same manner that God “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good” (Matthew 5:45).” He allows seasons to change and new beginnings to ascend.
2. Former things pass away, and all things are made new
God doesn’t remember our past, he gives us a fresh start! Isaiah 43:18-19 says,
“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.”
3. Perseverance is the path to new beginnings.
Perseverance is the pathway to a new start because a new beginning often requires patience. James 5:11 says,
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the LORD finally brought about. The LORD is full of compassion and mercy.”
4. A new beginning can start right where you are.
A new beginning awaits anyone who is willing and wanting to make Jesus Christ the Lord of their life. We don’t have to wait for worthiness to simply claim that new beginning. Jesus paid the price in full for our sins.
2 Corinthians 5:17 says,
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
We each have dedicated our lives to building His kingdom here, using the backdrop found in the ongoing struggle for healthier eyes and patients.
Let’s intentionally write this new chapter in the book of life, as we choose Him to be central as each of our stories unfold.
It is my privilege and honor to keep open dialogue with each of you, as we look at the future of healthcare and our profession as if through the very eyes of our Lord and Savior.
As we each glimpse and wonder at tomorrow, we are continually invited to open dialogue with God in our prayer life and keep that going.
The very existence of each of us, is deeply tied to that of others here in our life journey. We each very much need to be in relationship with God, as well as one another.
Life is not reduced to the passing of time.
Instead, life is all about interactions between our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as each of us This is inherently by divine design.
In the physician world we care daily for the sick, many of whom are amid unspeakable hardship, terrible situations, with multiple layers of complex healthcare and socioeconomic issues.
These precious individuals we call patients, are not a statistic or number but remain as real people.
We ALL need each other.
