In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
Expanded Passage: John 1:1-18
As the youngest of five children, I watched my older siblings do things that I could only dream of doing. I almost always wanted to join them, whether it was watching a movie, hanging out with their friends, or riding a roller coaster. When the year finally came that I was tall enough to ride the big roller coasters at Hershey Park, I became scared. It took five or six times of watching them ride before I got on. But since that first loop, I continue to love thrill rides to this day.
Beginnings are usually risky, which makes them hard. They are often filled with fear of the unknown or the risk of failure.
John’s prologue is a profound section of Scripture that includes the creation of the world, Christ’s incarnation and salvation, and us. The balance of human and divine activity is important to the prologue, the gospel as a whole, and our lives. In Christ, we have the perfect example to follow. Even when God calls us to some new beginning or to bear witness to him in a new way, we have the assurance that he who has been around since the beginning is also with us. Just as I needed my siblings to lead me out of my fear of roller coasters, let Christ quell any fears on the journey he is leading you.
Go with God into the unknown and start a new beginning.
Scott Donahue-Martens is a clinical chaplain and served on staff at a Wesleyan church in Massachusetts.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
