The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and He delights in his way. – Psalm 37: 23 KJV
A new year can be very daunting to those who stand at a crossroads. Shall I stay or shall I move? Will I continue my present role, or do I need fresh opportunities for creativity? Shall I allow fear to take over, or take a leap of faith and see what happens?
This is where I stand right now. At an intersection – towards retirement or continuing to work, as I still have some good years to be productive. But my struggle is not only that – it is also moving physically. When I arrived from the Philippines in 1984, all I knew was Melbourne. I got married here, started a family, worked in various jobs and ministries that were meaningful and which I have all accomplished with a passion, even if some were not the ideal ones.
My emotions are so torn that I physically suffered from bouts of vertigo due to my spiritual and emotional indecision!
When I started discerning this path, most of the prophetic messages and teachings I have been getting revolved around Abraham, Joseph, Moses and the great story of Exodus. Is God confirming my new path or challenging me to a deeper walk with Him? As I look back, the biggest leap of faith I took as a young woman of 23 was to leave the Philippines, with one luggage, a borrowed $100.00 US dollars, courage to find the relative who could accommodate me and take it from there. I left two stable jobs, a happy family life, friends whom I loved dearly, studies that could catapult me to more academic success and the certainty of a daily routine. Forty-one years have now been invested in my life in Melbourne and although not all are so genial, I have no complaints with the blessings that God has favoured me every step of the way.
This move I am about to take. How would it be? My husband and I are planning to move to Queensland soon to join my daughter (only child) and her family, who decisively moved a year ago. Sometimes I wish I were like my daughter – decisive, determined, focused. But my battle is always fear and indecision! I have prayed fervently for wisdom and trust in the Lord.
Then I found this teaching:
Life rarely unfolds according to our carefully drawn plans. Sometimes we find ourselves standing at unexpected crossroads, facing the daunting prospect of starting over. Whether it’s a career change at 45, returning to school at 60, rebuilding after loss, or simply feeling called to a different path, the courage to begin again can feel overwhelming.
Many faith traditions recognize that life moves in seasons, each with its own purpose and beauty. In Ecclesiastes, we read that there is “a time for every purpose under heaven”, including a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to tear down and a time to build up. Understanding this rhythm can bring peace to those who feel they’re “too old” or “too late” to make significant changes.
The fear of beginning again is deeply human and entirely understandable. We worry about failure, about what others will think, about wasting time or resources. But faith traditions offer us tools to face these fears: We can trust in Divine timing; we can rely on family and community support and deepening our faith over fear.
Christian scripture repeatedly commands us to “fear not” and reminds us that God has “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). When fear whispers that it’s too late, faith declares that it’s never too late for God to work. We can start small, not making massive changes overnight. Take one small step in the direction of your new beginning, then another. As we trust the process of change, we can rely on remembering that growth often happens in seasons of difficulty. What feels like wilderness wandering may be preparation for something beautiful ahead.
Perhaps the most beautiful aspect of faith-based new beginnings is the recognition that second chances aren’t just practical necessities, they’re sacred gifts. Every sunrise offers a fresh start. Every breath is an opportunity to choose differently. Every moment holds the potential for transformation.
In the words of poet Rainer Maria Rilke, “The only journey is the one within.” Sometimes that inner journey requires us to leave familiar territory and venture into the unknown. But when we move forward in faith rather than fear, we discover that we’re never truly alone on the path.
If you’re reading this while standing at your own crossroads, take heart. The God who painted the first sunrise is still in the business of new beginnings. The same divine creativity that speaks worlds into existence is available to speak new life into your circumstances.
Your age doesn’t disqualify you. Your past doesn’t define you. Your fears don’t have to control you.
The courage to start over isn’t about having no fear, it’s about having faith that’s bigger than your fear. It’s about trusting that the One who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it, no matter how many chapters that requires.
Today could be day one of the rest of your story. What new beginning is your heart being called to embrace?
Every expert was once a beginner. Every master was once a novice. Every oak tree was once an acorn that held its ground. Your new beginning doesn’t require perfection; it only requires the courage to take the first step. (source: Thriving with a Purpose)
It is so amazing that God provides guidance in times of uncertainty and wisdom through these seasoned teachers. I can only thank them for their amazing insight! Slowly, I am learning to let go and accept the new beginnings. To my dear, faithful readers, please pray for me too. May your year 2026 be a year of discovery and new beginnings in Jesus, for if we have Him, we are safe and secure even during our seasons of waddling through life. Stay blessed!
