Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

Have you ever noticed how life rarely stays the same? There are seasons of joy and abundance, seasons of struggle and pain, and seasons of growth and change. Some of these seasons are welcomed with open arms, while others arrive like an uninvited storm, leaving us unsettled and uncertain. And perhaps the hardest moments of all are when seasons end. The end of a job. The end of a relationship. The end of a dream. Endings stir up fear because they force us to face the unknown. Yet Scripture reminds us that endings are never just endings. In God’s hands, they are transitions—doorways into something far greater than we could imagine (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

The Israelites: From Manna to Milk and Honey

Take the Israelites as an example. For forty years in the wilderness, manna fell from heaven every morning (Exodus 16:4). This daily bread was more than nourishment—it was a visible reminder of God’s faithfulness. Yet when they finally entered the Promised Land, the manna stopped (Joshua 5:12). To them, it may have felt like something had ended, but in truth, it was a transition. God was moving them from survival into abundance, from temporary provision into a land flowing with milk and honey (Deuteronomy 8:7–10). What looked like loss was actually a step into fulfillment.

The Wedding at Cana: Better Wine Ahead

We see the same principle at the wedding in Cana. The celebration was in full swing until the wine ran out (John 2:1–11). For the bridegroom, this ending could have spelled embarrassment. But Jesus stepped in and turned water into wine—not just any wine, but the best wine. The old had served its purpose, but the new was greater. Sometimes in life, the “wine” runs out—our resources dry up, our season shifts, our strength fades. Yet in those very moments, God is preparing to pour out something better, something richer, something that reveals His glory (Isaiah 43:19).

The Ascension: An Ending with Greater Purpose

Even the disciples faced what seemed like the ultimate ending when Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9). Their Master, Teacher, and Friend was gone. Yet Jesus had promised it was for their good, because His departure made way for the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). At Pentecost, that promise was fulfilled, and the disciples were empowered to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth (Acts 2:1–4). The ending of Jesus’ earthly ministry was not a loss but the beginning of a Spirit-filled movement that changed history.

My Story: The BP Oil Spill and a Burning Bush

I’ve experienced this firsthand. After the BP oil spill, I was laid off from my job. At the time, it felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. I had a family to care for, bills to pay, and no idea what was next. It was frightening, disorienting, and deeply painful. Looking back now, I see that what felt like a terrible ending was really God’s setup for a new beginning.

It was in that season of loss that I had my own “burning bush” encounter with God (Exodus 3:2–4). Just like Moses, who encountered God in the wilderness when everything seemed uncertain, I discovered that God had been preparing me all along for something more. That unexpected ending became the spark that led me to answer the call to ministry. I stepped into seminary, where my faith deepened and my purpose became clearer.

It was in this journey that I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit—a defining moment that ignited my spiritual life in ways I had never known before (Acts 1:8). It was also during this time that I became a father, stepping into one of the greatest joys and responsibilities of my life. One closed door had made room for multiple new beginnings, each one richer than I could have planned on my own.

Rising as a Patriarch: Blessings in the Burdens

And yet, some endings still cut deep. Losing my father was one of those. It was a painful and sobering season, one that left a void in our family. But even in that heartbreak, God was at work. In the absence of my father, I rose to take on the mantle of patriarch for my family. That role has not been easy, but it has been deeply shaping.

Through it, I’ve learned to find blessings even in burdens. I’ve discovered strength I didn’t know I had. I’ve witnessed God’s faithfulness in guiding me to lead with love, courage, and faith. What felt like one of the greatest losses of my life has also opened doors for God to use me in ways I never could have imagined.

Finding God in the Endings

Friend, maybe you are walking through an ending right now. Maybe a door has closed, a dream has died, or a relationship has come to its conclusion. It hurts. It feels like loss. But can I encourage you with this? What looks like the end is often God’s invitation to step into something greater. Just as manna gave way to abundance, just as water became the finest wine, and just as the disciples traded sorrow for Spirit-filled power, your ending can become a beginning in God’s hands.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” That includes the painful endings. That includes the disappointments. That includes the unexpected losses. With God, endings are never the last word. They are the prologue to a greater story He is writing in your life.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You that in Your wisdom, every ending is also a new beginning. When doors close, remind me that You are leading me toward something greater. Just as You led the Israelites into the Promised Land, just as You brought new wine at Cana, and just as You sent the Holy Spirit after Jesus ascended, help me to see that You are always working for my good. Give me faith to release the old and courage to step into the new. May I find blessings even in the burdens, and may my life testify to Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.