What visions come to mind when you ponder the word NEW? Newborns, a new home, a new car, new clothes or shoes, a new book, or maybe even a new place to visit? Most of these items conjure up pleasurable experiences, excitement, or simply awaken the senses. Is there anything sweeter to look at, smell, touch or listen to than a new baby? There's no comparison here to a newborn, but I personally also enjoy the scent of the printed pages of a new book. Don't we strive to keep our "things" in top condition for as long as we can? The moment we soil a shirt, ding a car or someone tramples on our newly laid sod, we are crushed or even devastated. It's ruined! It will never be the same again. We might even toss an item aside.
Let's reflect on the memories of our baptism for a moment? Being a convert, I was nearly thirty-three years old when I was baptized. I can still recall the sweet feeling I had as I came up out of the water--fresh, clean and NEW. There was absolutely no residue of my past transgressions left. I also can confirm that this bright, shining, new moment did not last very long. Much like new items that we purchase, the newness of that perfect moment also began to tarnish. Each New Year's Day, we begin with anticipation and excitement at the idea of starting fresh, a new beginning, a new heart. How often do we find ourselves failing to keep our goals or hold fast to our resolutions and commitments? We become discouraged and disappointed in ourselves, and often choose to give up instead of forging ahead in spite of our shortcomings or setbacks. We feel perhaps, that we have to wait a whole year before we can try again. Why do we do this? How can we keep ourselves from giving up.
Then the message to me was clear: Beginning anew doesn't just pertain to the New Year. If we break it down, we can apply it to a new month or week. Each week we have the opportunity of starting new by changing our hearts, asking for forgiveness, and partaking of the sacrament. Each week is filled with new days; each day, new hours and even minutes. Wow! We have an abundance of opportunities for starting over, starting fresh.
This year as we begin a new decade, we also have the privilege of studying the New Testament. In The Historical Context of the New Testament article in this month's Ensign, it reads: "The Greek words translated as "new testament" actually refer to a covenant, the new covenant the Savior extends to us through the Atonement." We know that it is through the Atonement of Christ that all mankind may be saved; therein lies the "good news". Through the Atonement, with the Lord by our side, we can begin anew...each year, each month, week, day, hour or even minute. How blessed we are this year to be able to study the New Testament and be given the opportunity to change our hearts and come unto Christ anew. For with Him there is hope, faith, and light. Where we fall short, he picks up the slack or as we hopefully have experienced, may even carry us.
President Thomas S. Monson shared in the April 2009 session of General Conference: " Too numerous to mention are the examples of all the individuals who have faced difficult circumstances and yet who have persevered and prevailed because their faith in the gospel and in the Savior has given them the strength they have needed."
It is my desire then that as we fail, and I know I will to one degree or another, that through our understanding of the Atonement our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we will pull ourselves up and realize that we have another opportunity to begin anew with each moment, and persevere and prevail.
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