As the clock struck midnight on April 30, 2025, we’d clocked 120 days or 32.88% of the year. That’s equivalent to 10,368,000 seconds, 172,800 minutes, 2880 hours, 17 weeks, and 1 day! You’re welcome 😂 Guess I’m the only one geeking out over these numbers 😅.
But wait, did you know January 1, 2025, fell on a Wednesday, and so did April 30… hmm, intriguing! Yeah, nah, just a weird coincidence. And don’t worry, I only just found that out, too, like 5 minutes ago (at the time of writing) while googling the duration between these two dates, 01.01.25 and 30.04.25 🤗
Let’s shift focus to May 2025! As we start a new month, I wanted to share a devotional that resonated with me. Sue Boldt’s 7-day plan on new beginnings is available on YouVersion – it looks like a good place to start. I’ll share the readings for days 1 and 2 of this devotional. Feel free to search for the full 7-day plan on YouVersion and complete it at your own pace.
Day 1 – Something New
Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth…
Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV
I love new beginnings…
I love second chances, third opportunities, and fourth starting-fresh experiences. The list and numbers go on.Jesus loves new things, too. That is what grace is all about. And mercy. Also, the power of repentance and forgiveness and deliverance. He is all about doing new things, especially in His lambs’ lives (Revelation 21:5).
Charting a new course, deciding to turn a new leaf on the page of our lives, or simply wanting to get out of a rut of comfort that has left us oh-so-unsatisfied doesn’t have to be a marked date on the calendar. We don’t have to wait for the start of a new year beginning. We don’t have to tarry for a significant life event to occur, or an epic pivotal moment. Jesus never stops creating new avenues, new paths, and certainly, new lives and hearts.
Yes, the Lord loves to do new things, even making the impossible possible. Somehow, He never tires of replacing old things with new things. Exchanging our worn-out and tired dreams for what He actually has in mind for our lives. And renewing those areas of our soul weighing us down instead of sending us soaring on eagle’s wings.
Let’s let the Magnificent Creator fashion something new in us today, this week, this new year (if indeed, we are reading this in January!). It is time to let some old things go and extend our hands to receive His fresh gifts in, to, and through our lives.
We won’t be disappointed.
Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV
[18] “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. [19] See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Revelation 21:5 NIV
[5] He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
[11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Day 2 – Repentance. Really?
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Matthew 3:1-2 NKJV
Honestly. We would think the old Bible word repent would not have much to do with a new beginning or a time of refreshing for us. However, think again. I mean literally, think again.
Let’s look first at what repentance isn’t. It’s not trying harder. It’s not feeling bucketloads of guilt. It’s not making resolutions we rarely keep, nor is it living under a cloud of guilt when we fail for the millionth time.
Instead, repentance is translated from the old Greek New Testament word Metanoeo, which means changing the way we think. Meta, that word we derive transformation from, thinking of the lowly caterpillar and its metamorphosis into a lovely butterfly. And Noeo, translated the mind.
So. At the core of transformation, at the core of repentance, is changing the way we think. John the Baptist got this. He called people to live new lives by exchanging their less-than thoughts for God’s over-the-top thinking. And through the ages, John extends the same invitation to us—to have a thought life overhaul for God’s thoughts. About us. About Him. About the world around us. Now that’s something new. Something powerful. Then, a change to live a new way is possible.
It’s challenging to walk into something new, do something new, or be someone new when our thoughts are going in the other direction, usually off a cliff or in a downward spiral somewhere. Right? Instead, we must ask what does Jesus say about me, my life, my goals, my heart, my relationships…well, my—everything?
The quickest, surest, and most profound way we encounter the transformation of our thoughts is by experiencing Christ through His Written Word—the Bible. When we open its pages for ourselves, we invite the life breath of His Holy Spirit, who wrote it, to literally breathe His oxygen into us. Then, our patterns of thinking begin to change. That’s what this living Book can do (Hebrews 4:12). Even just one verse at a time.
Then, couple God’s Word with His felt presence—also through the Holy Spirit—and we discover that change is possible. The old is passing away, and His newness is replacing it.
Matthew 3:1-2 NIV
[1] In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea [2] and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”
Romans 12:1-2 NIV
[1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Hebrews 4:12 NIV
[12] For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV
[16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, [17] so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
These verses and devotionals are a powerful reminder that renewal is always within reach. You can restart and refresh your spirit as many times as you need – the only limit is your willingness. May God guide us to seize every opportunity for growth and transformation as we enter May 2025 and beyond.
To God be the glory always 🙏❤️
Idau Hahine 