I want to share with you something called Sacred Beginnings. We all have humble starts in our lives. And we are always worried about how we will end up, whether it’s a job or a ministry. But God is saying to us that it’s not so much about the end of your life; it’s the beginning.

The beginning is very important because it’s a sacred or special beginning. God sees humble starts as sacred beginnings toward a lifelong journey of following Jesus.

When I was 16 I wanted to work for the church that I attended because I wanted to be a Pastor. But what I got instead was a mop and a part time janitor job cleaning the educational wing three times a week. I took the job and one day as I was cleaning the room I opened a storage room door to see what was inside. There were stacks of Christian instructional material used for teaching Sunday school from kindergarten to high school. So after cleaning the classroom I would get out a book and read it. I cleaned the classroom for the rest of my high school career and got to read all of the books.

Fast forward 20 years from that time and I was living in New York City and had a job writing, reviewing and publishing Christian educational material. There were some days that I told the Lord that I did not know if I could continue with this work. But Jesus reminded me that this is my passion, skill, and life-long journey and what you were made to do so get back and work. Once in a while we need to get these spiritual brain slaps from God to remind us where we have come from. And I have been so privileged to do that and be involved in producing good curriculum and courses for all the students. But it was a humble start as a janitor that helped me to discover the sacred beginning in my life.

God sees humble starts as sacred beginnings toward a lifelong journey of following Jesus. We all begin with humble starts and sacred beginnings.  You may be asking the Lord, “What am I doing here?” Maybe it’s a new job, a small group you are thinking of starting, maybe it’s a relationship you have, or a school that you want to complete. God says all things are going to work together for you according to his purposes for you.

If you recently made a decision to receive Jesus Christ, it is going to be a lifelong decision and a lifelong journey. But you need to have that humble and sacred start somewhere.

That’s why the bible says,

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” (Zech. 4:10)

In that time of war the temple was destroyed in Zerubbabel and the governor commissioned to rebuild the temple. It was quite a feat to build it being that the temple was so huge. But God told Zechariah not to despise these small beginnings. Why? Because the lord rejoices with whatever small beginnings you have started just as he rejoiced over the beginning of the Lord’s temple.

Rev. 22:13 says “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”

God is there from A (Alpha) to Z (Omega) and everything in between. Even though your life is humble and small, it is a beginning and God says I am there. Thus as God is surely at the Omega, he is also at the Alpha and everything in between.

BENEFITS OF HUMBLE STARTS

1.    You build confidence in God.

The Bible says,

“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6)

A humble start and sacred beginnings will build your confidence in God.

“For to this end we toil and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. These are the things you must insist on and teach. Let no one despise [kataphroneo] your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Tim. 4:10-12)

2.    You will grow and bear fruit.

Here is another illustration Jesus used:

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” (Matt. 13:31-32)

Perhaps you are in a mustard seed season and God will water your mustard seed faith so you can grow into a tree that birds will make nests in their branches.

“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” (Col. 1:9-10)

Although the letter written to the Colossians seemed insignificant at the time, nonetheless, it is today probably the strongest letter that defines what the identity and mission was for Jesus Christ.

3.    Nurtures a teachable heart.

“After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking themquestions. And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers.” (Luke 2:46-47)

Jesus sat down as a humble gesture, that he could be one with the people.

“When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. Then He began to speak, and taught them.” (Matt. 5:1-2)

A humble start nurtures a teachable heart.  God wants you to have this humble start in your life. My hope and prayer for you is that you embrace in whatever humble start you’re into. God wants you to affirm that this morning, because every humble start is a sacred beginning on a lifelong journey for you to grow closer and fruitful in Jesus Christ.

Discussion Suggestions:

1.   Name one humble start you are in (job, school, ministry, relationship, mission project, small group, etc.)

2.   Where do you see God’s presence in this “sacred beginning”?

3.   How have you grown in your confidence in God because of this beginning?

4.   How will you engage and sustain this beginning toward what God wants to ultimately fulfill and
produce in you?