How to Start Again

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Have you checked out Sam Tsui’s Start Again video?  If you haven’t seen it, check it out here, and then come back…

Definitely a positive, upbeat, and encouraging message - and compared to Friday, it’s the greatest video ever made.  But did you notice some of the finer details?

Sam Tsui almost trips but makes a sweet recovery at 2:45.

Sam Tsui doesn’t text and drive…

I want a cool name like…Sam Tsui.

The girl in the video runs like a girl…just sayin.

The girl in the video won’t “unlock her door,” but she leaves her door wide open.  I hope her stuff is still there when she gets back.

I think the random grumpy guy is played by Rumplestilskin from Shrek 4.

So what is it about Start Again that has captured the hearts of over 4 million viewers (not counting the 1700 Sam Tsui dislikers)?

Well, I don’t believe this is rocket science here, because the desire to start again is deeply ingrained in our human nature.  The road we walk is littered with broken hearts and bitter disappointments.  There is a weight of sadness that often feels like a ball and chain - imprisoning us in our circumstances when we long to find freedom.

We’re stuck in memories that we desperately want to rewind.

We’re still holding on to broken hearts.

We’re haunted by yesterday and still sore from the fall.

Sound familiar?  In the video these words apply to a girl who feels trapped in a bad relationship, and Sam offers her hope with his words:

But if you let me in, maybe you could start again.
Don’t go telling me there’s no second chance.
You’ll understand when you take my hand,
And baby let me in, I promise we will start again.

Don’t give up yet,
I won’t let you close the curtain too soon.
We can reset,
If you take the leap and let me show you,
Just gotta make the choice.

So don’t go telling me it’s too late to start.
You’re still holding a broken heart,
But if you let me in, maybe you could start again.

I don’t know where you are in your life right now, but I have a feeling that the idea of finding freedom and starting again sounds like music to your soul.  We all allow ourselves to be ensnared by unhealthy relationships, addictions, painful memories, and destructive habits.  The door feels permanently locked, but I know Someone who holds the key:

Jesus went back to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and as usual he went to the meeting place on the Sabbath. When he stood up to read from the Scriptures, he was given the book of Isaiah the prophet. He opened it and read,

"The Lord's Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers, and to say, `This is the year the Lord has chosen' " (Luke 4:16-19).

This is a version of “Start Again” that is over 2000 years old.  Jesus is boldly proclaiming that when you “friend” Him by placing your trust in His death and resurrection for salvation, you can be forgiven of everything and freed of anything.  In a way, Jesus is saying these same words to us:

We love, we lose,
And you think the best defense is distance.
Tune the world out,
Put it all on mute so you can’t listen.
But there’s a way out of here,
Just follow my voice.
So don’t go telling me it’s too late to start.
You’re still holding a broken heart,
But if you let me in…

Isn’t it time for you follow Jesus’ voice and tune out the lies of the world?  Jesus longs to speak good news into your poor situations, announce freedom over your captivity, provide vision to your blind places, free you from your suffering, and make your life the landscape of His chosen blessings.

If God is moving you to start again, I suggest that you take out a piece of paper and write:

“Because of Jesus, I can start again.”

Put the paper on your mirror or somewhere you can constantly be reminded of God’s forgiveness and grace that is available anytime, anywhere. And remember that the gospel message is the only message that truly provides a way for people to find freedom and forgiveness, so now that you’ve started again, pay it forward by committing to and living out THE Cause!

 

Because of Jesus’ amazing grace, every day can be a day to start again and live out the wonderful plan He has for our lives.  Your friends need to know that they can find this freedom and forgiveness, so pray for an opportunity to have a conversation about this song to present the gospel.

Jesus, you are the reason we can start again.  Your grace covers all my past and your love gives me all the hope I need to go through each day.  Give me Your boldness so that I can proclaim Your message to my friends and family.  In Your name I pray, amen.

1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

 To help you start again, dig deeper into God’s love for you and His promises to you in The Father’s Love Letter.