Starting Something New (BJYT016)

Starting Something New

(By Dr. Edward Edezhath - for Amoris Christi's Anointed & Sent - April 20th, 2022)

“Behold, I make all things new.” — Revelation 21:5

Every time God begins something new, the world changes. The book of Acts tells us about the early disciples who “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6). From frightened followers, they became fearless witnesses—pioneers of faith who dared to start something new, moved by the Spirit.

The Call to Begin

To start something new is not merely to launch a project or try a different idea; it is to respond to a divine invitation. It is God whispering, “I make all things new” — through you.

When we say “starting something new,” we are speaking about openness to the Spirit’s movement in our lives — about being reborn, creative, and courageous. St. Paul says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Cor 5:17). In Christ, we are called not to repeat old patterns but to become co-creators with Him.

Aristotle once said, “Where your talents and the world’s needs cross, there lies your vocation.” Theologian Frederick Buechner rephrased this beautifully: “Vocation is where your greatest passion meets the world’s greatest need.”

Each of us has a unique call — a sacred intersection of God’s plan, our gifts, and the world’s longing.

Why Start Something New?

Because the world is waiting.

Because you are called.

Because something within you refuses to settle for comfort and routine.

St. John Henry Newman captured this truth profoundly:

“God has created me to do Him some definite service… He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another.”

You and I are part of a great story still unfolding. The Spirit continues to renew the face of the earth — but He does it through people willing to begin again.

The Spirit of the Pioneer

Those who start something new are called pioneers, innovators, founders, and history-makers. They are men and women who refuse to be trapped by “how things have always been.”

George Bernard Shaw once remarked, “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

Similarly, architect and futurist Buckminster Fuller noted, “You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”

Starting something new, therefore, is not about rebellion — it’s about re-creation. It’s about seeing with the eyes of the Spirit what could be, not just what is.

What Holds Us Back?

Often, the first battle is not outside us, but within.

• Fear of failure

• Past hurts and disappointments

• A lack of self-awareness or passion

• The comfort of routines

• The absence of encouraging companions

Sometimes, even our surroundings discourage initiative — overly rigid leadership, narrow definitions of spirituality, or a culture that fears mistakes. Yet every renewal in the Church began when someone dared to trust the Spirit more than the system.

What Helps Us Move Forward

To start something new, we need:

• A learner’s heart – stay curious and humble

• A joyful attitude – be positive even when things go wrong

• Openness to change – problems are pathways

• A listening spirit – let the Holy Spirit lead

• Perseverance – growth takes time

• Teamwork – creativity flourishes in community

Remember: God’s newness grows slowly. It unfolds day by day, “little by little, every day.”

“If you want your dream to be,

Take your time, go slowly.”

The Journey of Beginning

Every “new beginning” follows a rhythm:

1. See a need – Discern what the Spirit is showing you

2. Have a dream – Envision a response

3. Put down roots – Ground it in prayer and community

4. Team up – Find companions for the journey

5. Make a firm resolve – Decide to begin

6. Work steadily – Build, learn, adapt

7. Face changes – Embrace challenges as growth

8. Score the goal – Celebrate small victories

9. Move on – Stay open to the next call

A Lifestyle of Newness

To “start something new” is more than a project — it’s a way of life. When I know I am called:

• I see myself differently; I recognize my worth.

• My attitude toward life, formation, and mission changes.

• Even suffering takes on new meaning.

• Relationships become purposeful and life-giving.

As Mark Twain said, 

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”

Practical Tips

1. Identify your three favorite areas of creative work — what gives you energy and joy.

2. Reflect: Where do my talents and the world’s needs intersect?

3. Observe the world — notice unmet needs, emerging movements, or forgotten people.

4. Take initiative — however small — and trust that God’s newness often begins in humble beginnings.

5. Keep company with those who inspire and challenge you to grow.

To Conclude

God is constantly making all things new — not just events, but hearts. To start something new is to participate in His ongoing act of creation.

So, what new thing might God be inviting you to begin?

A prayer group? A music ministry? A study circle? A simple act of service?

Whatever it is, begin — even if small. Let the Spirit breathe through your creativity.

Because when you start something new in God’s name, the world begins to change.