From Paula's Desk:
You Can Have A "DO OVER" Year In 2010!

As we come to the end of 2009, God laid it on my heart to share with you a word on second chances and new beginnings.  Because, let’s face it: 2009 was a rough year for many people.  Whether it was career, financial, relationship, or health related – if you experienced hardship in 2009, you might be carrying worry, fear or doubt about what your 2010 will bring.

But the Lord spoke into my spirit to remind you of this: with God, it’s never too late for a ‘do over!’  For many of us, 2010 – the “year of completion” will turn out to be a year of transformation…as God gives us opportunities to re-do some things that didn’t turn out the way we wanted, or hadn’t expected or planned for, in 2009.

“But what does ‘do over’ really mean, Paula?” you might be asking. 

Well, I went to the Bible to see what Scripture revealed about God’s way of doing things in times of challenge, transition, or resistance.

You see, ‘do over’ doesn’t mean, ‘do the same thing.’  ‘Do over’ means, when confronted with continually challenging or trying situations or circumstances, that we seek to find God’s intent and plan within our circumstance… and with God’s help, discover new strategies for preserving through, and overcoming our challenges.

In Luke 7:37–39, we read about this woman:
…a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

Note that this woman is labeled a ‘sinner.’ Evidently, prior to meeting with Jesus, this woman did not have a great life up to this point. Perhaps she had made bad decisions; perhaps she had been a victim of circumstances and acted out of self-interest…perhaps she had involved herself in negative relationships and associations – we don’t know.

What we do know is that she has a bad reputation in the town, and had lost favor among the Pharisees.  She is up against the wall, and is being called out by accusers.  She probably felt she had no place left to go, and no one in her corner.  Her life may have seemed as if it was a giant mess, with no hope of redemption.

But this woman did something VERY RIGHT – when she heard he was in town, she came to Jesus looking for nothing but to sit at his feet, and to wash them with her own tears. She came with a heart of worship, and sacrificed her precious ointment to cleanse the Master’s feet. 

So what was Jesus’ response?

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.  Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little. And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven. And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. (Luke7:44-50)

Regardless of what her outer circumstances looked like, that woman’s life was transformed at that very moment.  Jesus gave that woman her ‘do over’ – and she left Jesus that day with a new lease on life, a new outlook, a new perspective, and a fresh start. Even as she walked away, saved by her faith, she was given a second chance.  And even if her outward circumstances hadn’t immediately changed, through the work of God’s Holy Spirit, that woman was given a refreshed soul and spirit. She would be filled by the Spirit with the power to look at her life in a new way, and use God’s guidance to make the necessary changes needed to walk in the blessings He had waiting for her.

Just as worship changed the life of that precious woman who anointed Jesus’ feet, I believe 2010 will be a year of transformation for many in the body of Christ—with an abundance of God’s favor and blessing for those who display a grateful heart and a willingness to sacrifice for God’s will in the ‘middle of their mess.’

Remember: no matter where you are now or where you have been, it is never too late for a ‘do over!’ Thank God for new beginnings and second chances.  ‘An attitude of gratitude’ is vital as you assess the year we are leaving, and look forward to the year to come.

So give God thanks, and get ready to position yourself for a ‘do over’ year in 2010. I believe that your fresh start begins today!

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