Today I begin a new season having once again taken the leap into the unknown believing it was time to do so. As I closed out my role at Kids Alive over the past couple of weeks, I noted that at some point in each day God gave me a gift of affirmation of the decision. Whether it was something I read, or a word from a friend or colleague, a repeated phrase from various sources unknown to each other, or a whisper in my soul, I felt a freedom and peace that had been restrained in me starting to have a voice again, renewing my energy, bringing further clarity to my understandings and stabilizing my emotions.

Today I know that I am in the midst of receiving at least part of the gift of Year of Jubilee – a release and opportunity to hit the reset button. While I will take time to reflect over the past three years, there is no “looking back” longing for what was or wishing it could have been different. I have no regrets, no second thoughts, no wondering about what could have been. Not that all things went well. It was not a place of flourishing for me though it was a formative place and a necessary place for me to be for a time. It was not a place of obvious successes but as NT Wright notes, “the journey of becoming human is often met with apparent defeat.” The key word is “apparent”. What looks like defeat to many, may very well be the “taking of the hill” in God’s eyes and his perspective is the only one that matters.

So, new beginnings on this beginning day of August. My heart swells with gratitude, joy, peace and freedom.