He Makes All Things New!
posted on January 15th, 2010 / by Jan Greenwood / 11 CommentsI love fresh starts. Don’t you? There’s something so awesome about the opportunity to just clear the decks and begin again.  I enjoy cracking the cover on a brand new book or the potential of a blank piece of white paper. How about a new set of sheets on your bed or maybe getting a “do over” when you whiff the ball? There’s just something about a new start that gives us a sense of hope and a fresh wind in our sails.
Isn’t that the whole reason we make New Year’s resolutions? We take a look at where we’ve been and where we thought we’d be by now. We evaluate our progress, deal with our disappointments, consider our plan of action, and then we simply give ourselves a fresh start.
Maybe that’s why the changing of the calendar from December to January – from 2009 to 2010 – has filled me with such a new sense of hope.  I’m so ready for a fresh start!
In 2009, I found myself in the cross hairs of a very scary and unexpected trial. Diagnosis: breast cancer. The diagnosis was devastating, the prognosis questionable and the process of recovery continues to be lengthy. In those first few months I felt my sense of equilibrium was surely destroyed.  My natural body was weakened, and then weakened again. It was a disaster – one of those “Oh no!” moments that no one wants to encounter.
What seemed to be the worst has in fact brought so much blessing. A friend said to me in the early days, “Please take this right – take time to enjoy the journey.” Well, I have. It hasn’t all been pleasant or orderly or awesome, but everyday I have arisen (with a fresh start) and encountered a faithful God. He is kinder than I thought, wiser than I knew and more fun than I had ever imagined.
God can and does meet us in our moments of devastation in a unique and tender way. But guess what? You don’t need devastation in order to experience the same revelation. He is just as willing to meet us in a stage of our journey. Whether you are in a spring season of growth and potential, or a winter of loss and loneliness, it makes no difference. You can dare to begin again!
In 2010 I am being given a second chance, a fresh start, and a do-over! I am cancer free and on the road to recovery! I am cooperating with God and man to experience new levels of health, wholeness and hope. I am experiencing a renewal in my body, soul and spirit!
Renew:
To start again.
To restore, resume, reaffirm, revive, replenish, reestablish
Maybe in 2009 you had a few “oh no” moments of your own. Well, be encouraged! After all, our God is all about the fresh start and the second chance. He is always inviting us to begin again with Him. When we are saved, we begin again. When we forgive, we begin again. When we obey, we begin again. When we love one another, we begin again. The possibilities for His intervention through us are endless.
He can renew your spirit!
Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me. PS 51:10
He can renew your mind!
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… Romans 12:2
He can renew your past!
They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. Is. 61:4
He can renew your strength!
Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength…Â Is. 40:31
He can renew your body!
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Cor. 4:16
The list goes on and on! In everyway He is ready to meet you and me in our need! He’s not intimidated by our disasters or confused by our circumstances or even overwhelmed by the depth of our desperation. Instead, our God is able to renew us – to give us a fresh start, a new beginning.
Here’s one of my favorite passages from Psalms 51:7-15 (MSG) that says it all. I believe that God is shaping a “Genesis week from the chaos of my life!” Won’t you believe with me?
Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean,
scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life.
Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,
set these once-broken bones to dancing.
Don’t look too close for blemishes,
give me a clean bill of health.
God, make a fresh start in me,
shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.
Don’t throw me out with the trash,
or fail to breathe holiness in me.
Bring me back from gray exile,
put a fresh wind in my sails!
Give me a job teaching rebels your ways
so the lost can find their way home.
Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,
and I’ll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.
Unbutton my lips, dear God;
I’ll let loose with your praise.
Jan is passionate about seeing people – especially women – fall in love with Jesus. She is a visionary leader who has a heart to encourage, inspire and empower others to believe in themselves and their God-given destiny. Since 2006, Jan has been an integral part of the PINK- Gateway Women team. At Gateway Church, she has been behind the scenes of every major gathering of women, including Pink Impact, sharing in the fun of being a part of a magnificent troop of women.  She is a teacher, speaker, and gifted communicator. Jan is a “blooming” writer, recently launching her first blog and dreaming of books to come. She is a wife of 26 years to her high school sweetheart, Mark. They have four children: Ashley, John, Luke and Matthew and 2 dogs: Mocha and Katy.
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Jan, this is such an encouraging post. I love how you listed so many ways He can renew us, with scriptures that correspond. One of my favorites is Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” He renews us every day with His mercy!
You have been an inspiration to so many of us in your fight against cancer–transparent while holding onto faith. I’m so glad the page has turned, the cancer is behind you, and you are being renewed. You are a beautiful lady.
Beautiful post, amazing testimony and much to gleam from your words and heart. Enjoying the journey can be my struggle. Of course enjoying it from the mountain top is easy…..but the other is something I have also encountered and am working through enjoying that side of the journey. Thank you!
Jan, You are such an inspiration!! I love your loving heart, your smile, and your wonderful way of encouraging everyone you meet. You are a beautiful example of God’s grace in every way. It is so exciting to hear your courageous testimony of faith through your battle. I have had you in my heart and in my prayers!! And I have been amazed as I have watched you stand so strong!!
You are truly a person who walks in victory!! Thank you for always encouraging me!! Your words have inspired me more than you will ever know. I love you and I am anxious to see the marvelous things that God has in store for you as you soar in His kingdom!!! Much love, Gaye
Jan, you are an amazing testimony of the love and faithfulness of Jesus who attends and comforts us in all our needs. You have blessed me so many times (that you have never known of) because of the flow of the Holy Spirit of God in your life. Your precious smile and countenance reveals the love of Jesus in your heart for so many. Once again, I received this blessing by reading your testimony today. I will always keep you in prayer and with a grateful heart for your words of encouragement.
Nancy
Jan, I always love reading what you write because it flows rivers of life in every word! It is indeed a Genesis time, and we as His girls are rising up to meet Him. Standing honored with you celebrating your healing. You are an inspiration and a living testimony of His power!
Beautiful and encouraging blog. I love the advise that your honest friend gave you to enjoy the journey. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us!
The first word that came to me after I read your post was BEAUTIFUL! Then I read the other comments and saw I’m not alone in what I was thinking! I haven’t had the privilege to meet you in person but your beauty, both inside and out, just leaps off the page! I am so thankful that “He is always inviting us to begin again with Him” because some days it seems I’m needing a fresh start about every 5 minutes.
Thanks so much for the encouraging words! Praising God with you for the victory in your cancer!
Great blog. As I was reading, it reminded me of my own blog “in 2010, Lord Make Me New Again”. I too love a fresh start..a new beginning. Thank you for sharing your journey with us of what the Lord has done. Very encouraging!
Jan,
We are so blessed that you shared your heart and story on DIB, I want to thank you for the amazing encouragement to embrace every moment in God with the attitude of a fresh start.
Your life in God has spoken volumes to me and yet we’ve ever had a hand full of conversations. It’s your transparency and vulnerability that have made a “REAL” walk with God attractive.
Thank you for the open window to your life through your personal blog and testimony, we have journeyed with you … SEEN God be faithful with you. Please keep writing and inspiring … you were made for it!
You bless and are a blessing!
Great Love!
~Ris
It reminds me of Eccl 3:11a “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.” Thanks for sharing your beauty with us!
My dear Jan! I just felt a sigh of relief as I read your blog and momentairly re-lived parts of last summer. You are at such peace with the past year and what God has in store seems to have ignited in you another small fire filled with anticipation and expectation. Thank you for sharing with us what it is to choose to live your life out loud-in the good times and the not so desirable times. I love you and continue to carry you in prayer. love~m