Revelation 22:13, New International Version

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”

If we pay attention to and believe the Word when it says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End”, we will know that life itself is a cycle of beginning and ending. We should not wonder where we came from, questioning the value of life (our life), and be concerned about where our future will be. He is the beginning, the beginning of all creation, and He is the end, the end of the last breath we have on earth. He is there with us and always will be. Whom are we talking about? His name we called Jesus, Immanuel, which means God with us.

So, if we know and believe and accept that Jesus is Life and He came to give us life (John 14:6, John 10:10), should we not take every step with joy and have our mind in peace for the new life is waiting for us? Therefore, in the process of moving forward, we should stick on the track we are running and fix our eyes on the finish line, as well as let go of everything that will slow us down.

While on our recent trip to visit my homeland, we went to an island and as I was walking up and down the hills, I saw a sign hanging on the path which said, “There are no litter bins along the trail beyond this point, please take away your litter.” Once I saw it, an inspiration came into my mind, and I said to my girlfriend who is going through some struggles in her life, “Throw away the trash from point forward, bad memories, mistakes, an old lifestyle… they are trash, and you have been carrying them long enough. Throw them out and move forward.”

My dear friends, why are you still carrying smelly trash with you? You would not want to re-use anything in your life, and you may not even want to put your hands back into it. There is nothing worth recycling. Instead, in Christ, you have His firm promise. You are clean, you are a new creation, you are free, you have a purpose, you are given a hope and a future, and the best is this: there is a new everlasting life waiting for you – an abundant life. You do not need to be afraid or weary, because you are not alone in this path. Jesus is here walking with you, no matter how fast or slow your step is, He is here – right with you in every single step you take. He is your perfect love, there is no fear in Him! (1 John 4:18) Let me leave this Word to you, race runner:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)