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
Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber
Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.
In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward
If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
