What’s New? 4 Words to Remember When Starting New

In the beginning, God … Genesis 1:1 ESV


Are you starting something new?

Maybe it’s a marriage, motherhood, a new job, or a new goal.

Maybe a loss has you starting new. Or maybe new changes in your health or a relationship have forced you to take on a new perspective or action.

Maybe new is the hundred insane ways life seems to change every day.

Whatever your “new” is, may I encourage you to rest for a while on the first four words of the Bible.

photo: Renae Bowman

photo: Renae Bowman

There’s always something new going on.

At Casa de Wortel, our kids have started a new school year. We have new pests digging up our new landscape, and new commitments to fit into our busy schedules.

Hey, even this blog post is new. It’s sits on a new site, with a new look, waiting for new people to be inspired and challenged by it’s words.

New, new, new, everything new.

It’s the fabric of who we are. We search for new clothes, new hairstyles, and new recipes. We hop on the Internet to learn new strategies to get our kids (and husband) to act in new ways. Our bookshelves, inboxes, and Pinterest boards are filled with new ideas on ways to create a new life.

We’re wired for beginnings because our Creator is the Master of beginnings. In fact, you might say that beginnings and new things are well, his thing.

“In the beginning, God created …” (Genesis 1:1)

“He put a new song in my mouth.” (Psalm 40:3)

“Behold, I am doing a new thing.” (Isaiah 43:19)

“His mercies … are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

“Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5)

“I am … the beginning and the end.” (Revelation 22:13)

God is definitely a fan of new. He begins, creates, puts, does, and makes, so his children will continually be made new. And he’s given us a similar heart to craft, and build, and begin.

But we have to ask one important question …

Who walks with us in our beginnings?

“In the beginning, God …” is a beautiful reminder to rest our beginnings in God’s mighty hands.

What if we said, “In the beginning of …”

This marriage,

This opportunity,

This relationship,

This change,

This circumstance,

This season of motherhood,

This life without                       ,              

God, before I begin…

“Lead me according to your will.”

“Teach me how to serve.”

“Teach me how to love.”

“Teach me to be obedient.”

“Show me how to glorify you through this new thing.”

God was, and is, the instrument of our beginnings. Isn’t it fitting then, to give him first priority when new things come our way?

Lord, help me to recognize you as the Master of my beginnings. Just has you called this world into existence in it’s grandest detail, you also have a hand on even the smallest facets of my life. Thank you that you are there for the best and the worst of the beginnings in my life. I will trust and hope in you through all new things that come my way. Amen.


Renae and I want to thank you, our faithful BHFF’s (best hope filled friends), for supporting, encouraging, and praying for this ministry over the last three years. It’s been our pleasure to come along side you as we all learn to trust God, be filled, and overflow with his hope.

4 Replies

  1. Jina Borowik

    I am reminded by one of my favorite Jewish teachers that unless one believes those first four words of the Bible, nothing else matters. It is with that belief that I am renewed every day with the hope that delivers and will continue to until that day when we meet God face to face. It is said that there is no “hope” in heaven because heaven is Hope Fulfilled! Thank you Girls, so much, for sharing this. I look forward to more of your insight in subsequent posts. I’m certain this message will be fresh in my mind as I awake tomorrow. Blessings to you for that: ] €} =:

    1. Raye Wortel

      What a beautiful thought on the first four words of the Bible! Thank you for commenting, I’m so glad you enjoyed it.

  2. Lora

    Hi girls, Thank you for the encouragement I needed today! We are moving in Oct. and lots of things are new for me…again! And yet God is the same, with me, and providing what I need…again! Love you 2

    1. Raye Wortel

      We love you, Lora! Yes, God’s steadiness through all our changes is such a comfort and a strength we can depend on. We’re glad you were encouraged today!

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