This week Brenda gave us an open assignment. Since that means we can write about anything, I'm going to share some thoughts--after first praising the Lord once again, for his awesome and unexpected blessing that enabled me to purchase a Wii and a Wii Fit. This is so fun, it will surely keep me moving even on the hottest of days. :-) Now if only I could find something to motivate me to stick to the rest of my goals.
It seems like I've been battling the same old battles week after week, year after year, for almost half a century now, and wondering why it's so hard to break bad habits. Seems like I'm forever setting goals and declaring new beginnings, only to fall short time and time again. I can so relate to what the great apostle Paul says in Romans 7:15--"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." That's me to a tee, and I spent much time this week pondering that very question.
Well, a few days ago I took one of my neighbors to an Alpha course. This week's session was all about the Holy Spirit. Nothing new that I haven't heard or read about before. My mind started to wander a bit, but all of a sudden I was sitting bolt upright in my chair. It was one of those moments when you see something you've seen a zillion times before, but this time it jumps off the page and knocks you right between the eyes.
The Lord brought something to my attention that was so obvious, I couldn't believe it hadn't impacted me before. All along, without realizing it, I have been trying to do what the "Law" proved it was impossible for us to do. I have been trying to transform myself, when the Holy Spirit is the only one who can set me free from my various bondages. Hello!!!
The whole purpose of the law was to show us our need for grace. Nobody was able to keep all the commandments, ever. The old covenant was constantly being broken. However, God promised that one day He would make a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:33) and the law would become something inside of us instead of an external thing. Instead of all those rules weighing us down from the outside like a heavy sack of potatoes, we would be energized by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
The moment we come to the foot of the Cross and receive the gift Christ offers us, we receive complete forgiveness of our sins. The barrier between us and God is removed, and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us, and begin His work of transforming us from the inside out. This takes time. Only rarely does it happen overnight.
Sorry if I've gone off on a tangent here, but it's been an incredible experience to have the light turned on and to finally realize (in my heart rather than my head) that all I have to do is turn everything over to the Holy Spirit and let Him take the lead. Not only is transformation his responsibility, God (through His Spirit) "who works in [me] to will and to act according to his good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). What ever success I have is a result of His grace and His grace alone.
sometimes it takes a while for us human to get it eh? thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI do ... like to do things myself and I just keep getting lessons and lessons that I can't.
happy friday
It's so hard for me to ask for help. I am a VERY independent person, and even going to God sometimes seems like a weakness.
ReplyDeleteBUT it's the only way to ensure lasting success in any area of my life, and it's what I'm supposed to do! Thanks for the encouragement.
Love your thoughts! God bless your weekend.
You are inspiring, bless you.
ReplyDeleteOh it's SO true. We don't tend to think of fitness as a "spiritual matter" so we have to handle it ourselves, right?
ReplyDeleteWell, we can see how that's been working! Thanks for the encouragement.
What a wonderful post and so true. Thank you so much for sharing it. It is so hard to get in the mind set of Christ. We have to remind ourselves daily. I am thankful that Christ has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us because I would fail so many times with him. Not saying I dont slip off the bandwagon even with the Holy Spirit but I can't imagine where Id be with the directions with him. God is so good and knows what we need and when we need it. Hope your week is blessed with Gods blessings! Karen
ReplyDeleteabsolutely share that poem.
ReplyDeleteI searched on the web and just happened to find it - no author attached.
your's to share!!
What an uplifting post.
ReplyDeleteAnd you would also know the love that comes from children and grandchildren.
xoxox
Wow! Don't you just love how He will all of a sudden wake us up when He knows we are ready for it? I so needed this one. I love how He works in our lives. You know, I've been going through the same struggles and began thinking there is something wrong with me. Now hearing of someone else talk about it, release of frustration, and hopefully I will begin to see and feel it too. Thank you so much for sharing this. I'm thankful you took the time to write it out. God Bless you sweet sister in Christ! Love and blessings to you.
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