Your Ending Is Only The Beginning

“While Jesus was still talking, someone from the leader’s house came up and told him, “your daughter died. No need now to bother the Teacher.” Jesus overheard and said, ‘Don’t be upset. Just trust me and everything will be all right.’”

I remember the phone call. “The doctor would like you to come in right away and bring someone of support with you.” I knew in my gut that the news would be bad. I didn’t know how devastating it would be. The doctor didn’t tell me about my diagnosis. She read the test results-ovarian cancer and it had spread to here and here…..I quit listening. She continued to read the report results in monotone as if she didn’t know what else to say. She finished and told me she had made me an appointment with a “oncologist specialist.” The news was very shocking to me. I went home and cried for days as if I was unable to stop. Who knew we had that many tears we could cry?? So, someone had “announced” no need to bother God. It was too late. I was at the end. My mind went to thinking, it was the beginning of my end.

I got on the internet days later and began looking for a prognosis. Most people lasted a year with my stage of cancer or 3 years at the most. That was even more devastating. Should I accept it was the end for me?

Are you facing something in your life that is devastating? Is there something so painful you are facing? Does it seem you are at the end? You want to give up. It’s been “announced” that it’s your end - your marriage, your job, your finances, your friendship, your life. Do we accept the news of things ending? Is it too soon? Do we give up too easily? Do we focus on the wrong thing? Are you focusing on the “announcement” or trusting Him?? I want to encourage you to not just pray for “relief” from your ending but pray God would change your focus and perspective on it. “Trust Him and everything will be alright.”

Sometimes our crying and praying isn’t what changes our circumstances but it’s our focus and actions. If your ending situation is your focus, your focus is an idol because it is not of Him. An idol will destroy your life. Change your focus from “my life is over” to “I have a new beginning.” I know thats hard but I’ve been there so I know it can be done.

Sometimes what we think is the ending for us is just the beginning of something else. My “terminal” diagnosis seemed like the ending but it was the beginning of something else. It was the beginning of a much deeper and stronger relationship with Him. It was the beginning of a new purpose (publishing my story). It was the beginning of stronger relationships with people. It was the beginning of more awe, reverence and humility towards God. It was the beginning of my gratefulness to be alive.

When God flooded the world, it seemed like it could be an ending to mankind; it was just a new beginning. It was the starting over with a new focus and new people. When David faced Goliath, it seemed like the end (especially to others). It was the beginning for David. He focused not on the size of the giant (situation) but on what he could do with what he had left - 5 stones. In Daniel 6:17, Daniel faced the lion - what was meant to be the death of him. It even says the king “fixed his fate.” Nobody on earth can “fix” your fate! When the doctors announced my diagnosis, it seemed they were fixing my fate but they were WRONG. That is up to God! Your fate is NOT to die but to live, whether it be here on earth OR with Him in heaven. Your ending is only the beginning. When Jesus was hung on the cross, it seemed like an ending; it was a new beginning. His death was temporary. Whatever it is that seems like it is causing your ending, it is only temporary, not an ending. “In 3 days He will rise again.” Luke 24:7 You will rise again from what appears to be your death or ending.

Is it too late for your new beginning? Don’t resign yourself to your life being over and done with (physically or in any other way). Don’t accept the “ending.” It’s never too late for a new beginning. I was in my 50’s when I thought my life was being ended and here I am in my 60’s with a new beginning. You’re never too old to start anew. “You’re not starting over, you’re starting from a new and different beginning.”

Choose life. Choose to start a new beginning with a different focus. In Deuteronomy, God says He’s placed life or death in front of us. Beginning or end. “And I command you today: love God…walk in His ways…Keep His commandments so you will live, really live, live exuberantly, blessed by God, your God.” Deut. 30:16 Choose life. Choose a new beginning. You have a new beginning and it looks nothing like your past.

“Choose life so that you and your children will live.” Deut. 30:19