Wednesday, February 5, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Romans 2

I wouldn’t consider myself a planner. For a long time, whenever I made plans, they seemed to fall through the cracks. Not having control of my time drove my anxiety nuts, so now, I’d rather figure out what’s next when the time comes. However, when it comes to my work, making plans is important.

Planning is a big part of being a driver. I need to perform pre-trip checks every day to make sure everything is working properly. If something’s wrong, I have to plan to get it fixed. I also need to do trip-planning.

Generally, I use Google Maps to plan my routes for me. For the most part, this has never failed me. But one day, my GPS directed me a different way home. Since I love to see new things and had extra time, I went along with it. And then I saw it … one of the most terrifying things for a truck driver—a low bridge!

It would have been easy to berate myself or let my anxieties become my focus instead of God. I could have let my fear spin out of control and hijack my thoughts, allowing “if only I had…” to become my idol.

Joshua 24:14-15b
¹⁴ “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. ¹⁵ But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live?”

So I don’t leave you hanging, wondering if I hit a bridge—I didn’t. I prayed, and as I did, my GPS said, “Turn right at the traffic light.” IT WAS BEFORE THE BRIDGE!

This situation was a good lesson in the importance of pre-planning and how I could have avoided the anxiety if I had reviewed my route. In this case, the GPS had my back and guided me through, better than I could have planned.

God is like this in our lives—he promises to guide us if we will only trust him and make him Lord of our life. It may even seem crazy at times, but if we pre-plan to follow him, that choice will pave the way to our preferred future.

Questions:
Who do you turn to when you feel lost or anxious?

Do you know Jesus?

Have you started your life-changing adventure with him?

Next Steps:
Plan time with God throughout your day, and see if your day improves. Keep attending CedarCreek church and take your next step to grow in your faith alongside our church family.

Prayer:
God, when I feel lost, please guide me. Bring me comfort when I feel anxiety and remind me you are with me until the end of the age. Father, I know that you are always there for me when I need you, and I also know I am not alone in experiencing worry and anxiety. I pray that anyone who needs you can find comfort in you as I do. Lord, in the same way you have comforted me with your Word today, help me share your love with others and offer encouragement to someone on their journey with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Romans 12:2
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

This post was written by Casey Stengel, a Findlay attendee and regular contributor to the LivingItOut.