Back-2-New 2026
- Debbie Christopher
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Back-2-New~~By: Debbie Christopher
A couple of weeks ago—after our Back-2-School shopping excursion, my husband and I had a ‘very deep’ conversation about our purchases—
‘Deep’ enough to put a blog thought in my mind.
We had each found a pair of black shoes—easy to put on shoes (wink, wink) that we both needed for the upcoming new season.
That Sunday morning he chose to wear his brand-spanking new black casual shoes and a new polo shirt from our son. He proudly proclaimed to me that he was wearing his new black shoes and asked if I was wearing mine. Of course, I replied, “No! It’s not after Labor Day yet!” Being a teacher, he replied, “Well, the new season starts for me in August! I’m ready to show off the new season.”
New? New season? New clothes/shoes? New supplies? New school year? New beginnings? Show off the new? New start?
It hit me that August/September could be like one’s second shot at ‘New Year’s Resolutions’.
Maybe it’s time to renew those thoughts, promises, goals, or dreams that we desired nine months ago!?
In Colossians 3, (see verses 7-15 below), the Apostle Paul, under God’s guidance, in his letter to the new believers in Colossae strongly admonished them to put off former thoughts, deeds, and attitudes from their past lives and to put on the new qualities of a follower of Christ.
“and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator.”
Colossians 3:7-10
HCSB
“Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love — the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.”
Colossians 3:12-15 HCSB
Yes, we strived for those things in January, but often by September, we need a Back-2-New refresher.
As we’re making new preparations for a new school year—with all our new goodies, let’s also remember to refresh our ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ by following Paul’s same admonishment to the new believers in Rome.
In Romans 12:2, we are encouraged to not be conformed to the thoughts, deeds, and attitudes of this world, but to renew our minds to do what is good and pleasing to God as a follower of Christ.
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2 HCSB
Renew our minds? Yes, daily reading, studying, and applying Scripture to our lives. The remainder of Romans 12 is a good place to start—as well as Philippians 4:8. And, you can start before Labor Day!
Back-2-New…
~Debbie
PS: Shh! Don’t tell anyone, but I wore my new black shoes on the Sunday before Labor Day!😳
Clever! 🤩