Finding God in the Cereal Aisle
Jake Nelson is joining us this month as our guest writer! And we are talking about Cereal! Who else loves a good bowl of Coca Puffs or Cinnamon Toast Crunch?! We sure do! Now grab that bowl of cereal and read Jake’s post as we welcome him into our incredible line up of guest writers! Read below, comment, and join the conversation! XO, the Boldly Seeking Team
I consider myself a patient person, but I’ve always hated waiting in lines.
Specifically, it’s the lines at places like Target, Best Buy, the grocery store, or the mall.
Why?
Because I’m forced to stand there, looking at everything I’ve picked out, and wondering if I made the right decisions.
The longer I’m in line, the more and more conflicted I become. Until, sometimes, I find myself back among the shelves, double-checking prices, weighing my options, mulling it over, again, and again, and again...“Do I really need more Cinnamon Toast Crunch?”
Okay, so … maybe the lines aren’t the problem. I’m just not very good at making a decision and sticking with it. Sometimes, these decisions are pretty minor, like what cereal I should buy.But some decisions are really important. Some decisions shape who I am as a person. Should I go to college? Where? What job should I apply for? What job offer should I accept?
The bigger the decision, the longer we might find ourselves agonizing over it. We can just about drive ourselves crazy re-reviewing every possible detail.If I have a hard time making a decision about cereal and sticking with it, how can I possibly feel confident in a huge decision? Why are these decisions so difficult?
Recently, I picked up a book that talks about how to effectively bring about change. In it, the author presents the idea that we each have an analytical side and an emotional side. He compares the emotional side to an elephant -- large and powerful, but not without intelligence. The analytical side is like a rider on top of the elephant. The rider does their best to direct the elephant, but once the elephant has made up their mind, trying to redirect them is useless.
The elephant in me wants the Cinnamon Toast Crunch. (It’s delicious!)The rider in me says I should buy the plain oatmeal instead. (It’s practical!)
I think we all experience this tension between the analytical and emotional in different ways.
Sometimes, it can feel like we’re being pulled in two completely different directions. Usually, in one direction, we find our passions, our desires, and what brings us joy, laughter, and comfort.
In the other direction lies our sense of security, progress on our long-term goals, and our growth and development as an individual.
In both directions, we find things that are not only important, but necessary for our happiness. We need to be responsible and mature, yes, but joy isn’t optional. We need joy. We were made for joy.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
When we’re anxious about a decision, we tend to rely on our own understanding. Advice from others can start to overwhelm us or confuse us instead of calm us. We might rely on a “gut instinct”, or “what feels right.”
Instead, we need to learn to rely on God.Sometimes, this is scary, too. I think we worry that God will ask us to pursue the scariest, most practical, and/or least enjoyable option. Or that His plan for our lives won’t line up with what we want.
But God doesn’t want us to have to choose between our short-term and long-term happiness. He doesn’t ask us to always make the most responsible, most practical choice. He wants what’s best for us. God isn’t a divine referee, carefully watching us to make sure we follow the rules, ready to blow the whistle at any error.
Point is, God doesn’t tell us exactly what to do. That verse from Philippians doesn’t say He will provide crystal-clear answers to all of our prayers. It says His peace will guard our hearts. Maybe the reason we struggle with decisions isn’t because we don’t know the right answer. Maybe we’re just afraid. And anxious. And doubtful of our ability to do the right thing.
I don’t know about you, but I find that the more time I spend with God, the less I find myself worrying about my decisions -- both big and small. The more I listen to His voice, the better I understand how He sees me: as His precious child, for whom He created the world and all its goodness.
God isn’t trying to test me. He wants what’s best for me. The more I reflect on this truth, the easier my decisions become. My anxiety over my choices melts away. Not because I know the answers, but because I know that there’s a God who loves me, guides my footsteps, and embraces me always, no matter where my path may lead.
So: pour yourself a bowl of your favorite cereal, spend some time with the Word, and go forth in peace as a child of God.
