Monday, September 1, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: 1 Corinthians 1

New battery in my car ... check! 
(The last one died unexpectedly.) 

New brakes … check! 
(They were creaking.) 

New front end after an accident … check! 
(Let’s all slow down and pay attention!) 

Driving a rental car … check! 
(Kicking the car for not knowing how to open the gasket and the tire light teasing me.) 

New job opportunities … check! 
(Sink or swim!) 

Additional things I could add to the list … check! 

All this has happened in just the last 6 months or so! I am truly fortunate it’s all been taken care of. But the downside is that I’ve been left feeling behind and uprooted, wondering when the chaos will end. 

As we wrapped up our series, Unspeakable Joy, we were reminded to stay rooted in Christ so that we may find joy in light of our eternity, and despite our circumstances. 

Finding joy can be challenging when unexpected things happen. These difficult circumstances and continual chaos often rob us of our joy. However, if we change our perspective and focus on Christ - not our worldly circumstances - we can experience real joy here and now. Because through Jesus, eternal life is not something uncertain or distant, but a present reality given through him. 

1 John 5:11-13
“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.

I have written this to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life.

Joy is found when we clearly see and embrace our identity in Christ. We can endure all our battles with confidence and assurance, knowing whose we are and who Jesus is. 

The bottom line: Unshakeable joy comes from new life in Jesus now.

Take a moment to let this sink in: joy is not something we achieve by striving harder, but something we receive by knowing Jesus.

So, if you find yourself deeply entangled in the chaos of your circumstances rather than the presence of the one who loves you and offers you eternal life, repeat after me:

I am rooted in Jesus Christ.

I am a new creation. 

I have everything I need in him. 

I have unshakeable joy because my eternity with Jesus starts now.

Questions:
What is one truth you know about God that keeps you rooted? 

What is something eternal you are focusing on? 

What is keeping you from knowing God? 

Next Steps: 
If you find yourself in the midst of chaos, take a breath, hold on to what God says, and let go of the distractions. 

Take a meaningful step to grow your relationship with God. Is it time to go public with your faith through baptism? Are you ready to learn about your God-given gifts in GrowthTrack? 

Prayer: 
God, there is a lot of chaos happening around me that I cannot control. I really need a break. I pray I will hold on to you, stay rooted in who you are and who you created me to be. I am in Christ, I seek out what is eternal, and I will live with confidence, assurance, and unshakable joy. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 16:11
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

This post was written by Becca Roberts, a West attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.