This is where I’m headed this week. My emotions have been rollercoaster-ing and I expect that will continue through the weekend. Right now I’m in the “Yay! I can’t wait.” mode . I’d like to stay there and not venture into the “Oh my God, I have to hurry or I’ll miss my flight.” mode, or the “How am I going to talk about my book to all these people who already have a book published?” mode.

I read in my Bible reading plan on Saturday and this was my takeaway:

What if instead of living insecurely, you were watching God move through you in ways you couldn’t believe?

What if instead of living in fear, you lived seeing potential?

Proven by Jennie Allen, Day 1 on YouVersion

That was balm for my anxious soul. I’m an over-thinker. I always will be and I need outside reminders to pull me out of my inward tendencies. That’s why I love these Bible plans. I connect with my husband, my daughter, and a friend and we read them together.

God uses these devotions like divine appointments, speaking just what I need to hear.

There is one passage in scripture I’d like to comment on today.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭29‬-‭34 NLT

In the middle is a powerful question: “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Even as I think I would answer, “No one.” I question if that is how I act. Do I believe God is by my side, making things turn out the way He’s planned? Do I trust He is fighting my battles? Do I act like He’s got me?

This whole passage deserves a thorough analysis, but let me point out all the times it states what God is doing for us. That makes me question why it’s so common to feel like God is waiting in judgement instead of lovingly leading us to our best life.

At this writers conference, I commit to being myself, not trying to hide my naïveté. I commit to being a good listener and asking questions. I commit to leaving my comparing and complaining behind. I commit to looking for God to show up and make good things happen.

I encourage you to revisit Romans 8. There is so much to learn, absorb, and activate in our experience. I also recommend signing up with a friend or two to read a Bible plan together. You’ll find it amazing how God will speak to you and your situation.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Image from Realm Makers