Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Sometimes, living in reality is something we tend to put off to the side. I know I do. I’d rather avoid stress and not worry about things that can be fixed easily. But that is foolish of me, and it's being blind to reality. Wanting to take the easy way through life is a valid “want,” but—reality check—life is hard, and that’s pretty much a promise.

John 16:33
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

With that in mind, a wise decision I have made is to follow Jesus. It has been hard at times—not everyone likes it when you confess to following Christ and mean it. There are people out there who just want to argue for the sake of making another person's day harder. (I’m not proud to say, I've been on that side a few times myself.)

I remember something that happened after I attended CedarCreek Church for the first time. I wasn't a follower when I walked through those doors, but I certainly walked out with a head full of questions. It was like I could see something I couldn't before—a reality with Christ?

I wasn't sure what I believed, and I fought with it for a week. I was struggling through an internal battle with my faith. It led me to question how I was living my life and what I valued.

Ephesians 5:15-16
¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

I couldn't handle the internal struggles I was fighting. I happened to be in Findlay that day, so I decided to go to the church to see if there was anyone there whom I could talk to. I met three wise men who invited me to sit and talk with them. I had never met these pastors before in my life. I just started firing hard questions that I thought couldn't be answered and just might even get me thrown out of the church.

These questions didn’t bother Jesus, though. He met me right where I was, as one after the next of my questions were answered in exactly the way I needed.

The next day, I gave my life to Jesus.

Through this experience, I could see the reality of who Jesus is and how he works through people who choose to be wise with their words, especially when responding to those who are set on doing foolish things.

Questions:
Do you try to escape reality and try to ignore the hardships? How do you handle battles within your head?

Next Steps:
Join a Group with like-minded people. The more Christ-centered people you have around you to bounce things off of, the better chance at winning you have. Journal your wins, no matter how big or small, so that you can look back on something positive from time to time.

Prayer:
Father, thank you for guiding me to CedarCreek Church. I praise you for the staff, the DreamTeam, and those who attend, who help me know what it is like to win with you. You love us all so much that you gave us your Son so that we could live, share your Word together, and win with you. I love you, Father. Thank you for the breath in my lungs and all the opportunities to see how you work in my life and in the lives of others. In Jesus' name, amen.

Casey Stengel, he is a follower of Christ and a Dad of three. He works for the Zepf Center, specializing in Recovery Services, and is passionate about helping others. Casey is a graduate of Colorado Christian University with a degree in Biblical studies.