In the next few days, kids in our area get a precious gift: a new start, a blank slate, a clean grade report, and a new semester. I read a commencement speech that was delivered by Bill Gates many years ago, and he said something shocking to them. “Life does not work in semesters. There is no such thing as spring break, and you don’t get summers off.” And after 16-17 years of living in terms of the semesters, breaks, and summer vacations, his words were shocking but so true.

For the kindergartners and seniors, this world will exist for this unique time in their lives, but best of all, each semester or grade year gives them a fresh start. No mistakes yet, no absences or demerits, no tardies or late work, the new year brings a new opportunity, and in many ways, “the old is gone, the new has come.”

I think that’s why my heart gets excited at this time of year. It’s a reminder of how Jesus wiped the slate clean on our record. He made it possible, but we only receive that when we ask for it and present our broken record to him. His work on the cross takes our past, sin, failures, and guilt and pays it in full, and we have a fresh start. That’s the beauty of the Gospel.

A few years ago, I ran across an old hymn that I re-arranged with a new melody, rhythm, and bridge. And often, that tune is in my heart. I need that tune on my heart, reminding me of the powerful gift that Jesus gave me. Think of the power of these beautiful words:

My faith has found a resting place, not in device or creed.

I trust the ever-living one His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument, I need no other plea.

It it enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me!

Enough for me that Jesus saves, this ends my fear and doubt;

A sinful soul I come to Him, He’ll never cast me out.

I need no other argument, I need no other plea.

It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me!

And then, I wrote this refrain because I needed to repeat it often:

It is ENOUGH! It is ENOUGH!

It is ENOUGH that Jesus gave His life for me!

It is ENOUGH! It is ENOUGH!

It is ENOUGH that Jesus died and set me free!

That’s the blessing of the clean slate Jesus gave to us!