How to Find a Fresh Start - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - November 4, 2024

“For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” - Colossians 2:12 NLT

As a native Clevelander, fall means Browns football. I grew up yelling at the TV with my family. For many years, when my husband and I weren’t at the game, we hosted game-day. Crock-pots full of chili and football cheese wafted through the house as we tuned in to our hometown announcer and yelled at the TV with friends and family. Now living states away from my family and life carrying friends off into different seasons of busyness, I often miss those moments.

How do we find a fresh start after our normal drifts into a different season of life? Today’s verse says we are “raised to new life” when we embrace Jesus as our Savior. When we trust the same “mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead,” winds of powerful change can grow and stretch us, changing the landscape of life’s horizon.

In and around Colossians 2:12, Paul explains the completeness that Christians find in Christ: putting off of the flesh, resurrection from spiritual death, forgiveness, and deliverance from legalistic requirements and evil spirit beings. (NIV Study Bible Notes) No matter how much change we endure upon this earth, Christ remains unchanged. Every growing pain of the journey we traverse is meant to sanctify us and honor Him.

Though it may be scary to open a new door under fresh circumstances, we must. Recently, I descended into the cobwebby corners of my basement to dust off an unopened crock pot from my momma. That Sunday after church, the simmering sweetness of homemade chili drifted out to the front porch, and the door was opened. Fresh starts are found in small, faithful steps of obedience, in remembering who and Whose we are, and why we’re here.

Psalm 145:13-15 says, “Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.” (NIV) If Christ is in us, we are a living fresh start. Take a deep breath, embrace His love, and connect with the people He’s purposefully placed. Lean into God for the big faith it takes to trust Him in seasons of change.

I haven’t experienced many winning seasons of celebration as a Browns fan. There’s been a lot of ungodly yelling at the TV over the years, but I still root for my hometown team. Jesus roots for us like that. Though we fight change and run in dysfunctional directions, He remains our unshakable foundation. A guiding light out of the darkness, His love never fails. Each day holds a fresh start.

Photo Credit: ©Taylor Wright/Unsplash

Meg is a graduate of Ashland University. She is a writer, author, editor, and digital content creator. She stepped away from her job in Internet Marketing in 2008 to raise her daughters, which gave her passion for writing a chance to shine through her blog, Sunny&80… Life within the Love of Christ. Meg has served as a Children’s Worship Team Leader and Middle School Leader for her local church. She founded and led the Breakfast Club Bible Study for Tweens, has served as a Young Life Leader and Committee Member, and led Women’s Bible Study. She has also volunteered as a content creator for her local church, studied Bible/Ministerial Training through Global University, completed COMPEL PRO Writers Training, and is Ethically AI Certified. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the team at Salem Web Network. You can find her entire library of books on her Amazon Author Page. 

Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3

In this episode of  The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!