New Begininings

New Beginnings

The skill of starting something new is not always easy. Do you remember your first day of high school? Did you get nervous or feel out of place? Right now, for me, a bunch of memories and thoughts suddenly come to my mind with a sense of nostalgia and gratitude. The sunny years in California were left behind. Of course, we miss our friends and sweet moments, but we are moving forward with enthusiastic expectations to keep serving in a new ministry.

I am writing this while we face a transitional stage here in the green state of Oregon, awaiting the approval of our new work visa. However, the new beginning feels, for now, like a “compás de espera,” or “bar rest.” Musicians know of this pause: they should wait in silence, ready to play the next tune. The compás is a brief or long pause at the same time, especially for guys like me who lack patience sometimes. Right now, for me and my family, it's time to wait, watch, and listen attentively.

I am convinced the apostles in the New Testament felt the same way right after Jesus ascended to heaven. The wonderful days, joy, and amazement with Jesus were on their records according to the Gospels. They learned to follow the steps of their Master, sharing the good news that the “Logos of God” was made flesh and dwelt among us.

They were commissioned and sent. They did not have a detailed budget, a fancy educational background, or a compelling personality. Instead, they had the promise of the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Triune God. He would encourage, strengthen, and advocate for them in every circumstance.

What new beginnings are you experiencing now? Do they look uncertain and challenging? New beginnings are tough, especially when you have little information and not enough signs or guarantees that everything will be fine.

But today, Jesus calls us, like the apostles, to surrender our assumptions and prejudices. He calls us to confess our fears and doubts and rest in the fact that we are loved by the Father in Heaven, forgiven through the sacrifice of the Son, and brought by the Holy Spirit to be reconciled with Him. It does not matter how broken your past is, how big your doubt is, or how intimidating the new reality looks. God loves you with everlasting and unconditional love.

Yes, new beginnings are hard and sometimes painful, but His grace is enough. His Word is enough, and you are enough because Jesus was enough for you on the Cross, and everything was paid through Him. We cannot know what the future holds for us. Hopefully, something good, but if not, you can be sure your destiny is secure in His hands. Please do not forget it.

New beginnings are like being born again. Yes, like on your baptismal day: born again from the water and the Spirit.

Amén. 

Pastor Carlos Velázquez. 

August 17, 2026.