Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
- Galatians 5:25
Knowing that the Spirit lives in us, is your way of living in alignment with the Spirit?
So often, there are times when I feel as though no matter how I try to live to follow Jesus, I fall short. How I think, or live, or am just fall short of the way that I think God is hoping I am to be. Although I do not stop trying and aiming to meet the standard, I know that it will never be enough. Where sin and temptation are, I need the grace of God to rescue me and bring me to the place and standard of where I need to be. Despite God's mercy and His love in helping me, I still have to always keep myself in check and ask whether or not I am keeping in step with the Spirit. After all, if my body or self is the temple for the Spirit, then when I act in contrast to the goodness and godliness of Christ, then I am creating conflict working against the Spirit that is within me.
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in kayaking with another individual. We were both new, I was sitting in the back and my job is to help steer, as well as to row. The person sitting in front of me only had to row. I quickly learned that although I had the ability to steer with my feet, it is difficult to achieve any meaningful results if the person in front is not rowing in coordination with the way I row and steer. If we did not work together well, we end up steering into rocks or into other kayaks, or taking a long time zigzagging our way to where we need to go. When we work together and communicate well though, the product of our actions aligning meant that we were able to efficiently head to where we need to go efficiently and without issue.
I imagine that the Spirit operates in the same way. The Spirit is hoping to steer us to the right place and to guide us to the fruits of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. But if we are not listening to God's instructions and are not in tune with the Spirit, then we may crash into obstacles, get turned around, or find that it will take us far longer to get to where we need to go.
If we can keep in step with the Spirit, though, imagine how much farther we can go and how much smoother our journey would be.
Reflection: What do you do that helps or hinders your ability to be in step with the Spirit that lives inside you?
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Let's discuss the topic of keeping in step with the Spirit in this week's devotional. You can find weekly blogs along with traditional and contemporary music on Christian Calm Radio.