Every ending a beginning

School is out and summer begins. May is done and June is here. Pregnancy ends and a life is born. A difficulty ends and relief begins.

In the story of the season of Easter, the first disciples believed—it was proven in what they saw—but the thought of the cross was intimidating. Though they had been told to tell everyone they could what God had done in Christ Jesus, still the shadow of the cross was lurking. At the same time, they had been instructed to wait for the power to do what they had been told. They were waiting for the season of Easter to unfold, so that a new season could begin.

The new season began when the first disciples were gathered for prayer. The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised to send came that day, lighted the room, granted confidence, and brought the power to become the witnesses to the truth of the Gospel. The season of waiting was over. It was Pentecost, fifty days after Easter, and the Church was born that day. Now, cross or no cross, the movement was alive and active. The Spirit was leading.

Part of the truth that the movement presented was that the cross, while a symbol of the power of authority, was not the end. Though typically used as an end, God used that cross, not to end life, but to end death. The threat, the horror of the cross, the ugliness of humanity was used with all its arrogance and ignorance, then reinterpreted to offer a new life and a new beginning. Formerly, the cross was about human power. In light of the Gospel, the cross is a symbol of the power and purpose of God.

The one who believes the Gospel begins transitioning from one season of life to a new season of life. This happens along the way, during school and during summer. It comes month by month, at work and away from work, during difficulty and in ease.

We usually want the seasons of requirements to end quickly so that we can begin the more enjoyable times. We forget that there are lessons to understand through the difficult times, lessons that will be useful when we come to the enjoyable times.

How to know when it is time to move on? What does the Spirit say? What does your Savior say? What guidance comes from the One who designed us for life, and then overruled death to be sure that we discover life?

New is based on who you are and what you have discovered along the way. It may not be as dramatic as Pentecost each time. It will begin when you apply what you believe to the circumstances that you meet, and carry them out in the power of the Spirit.

In every ending there is a beginning. Live faithfully, with courage, and live in abundance!