"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Galatians 5:25
Our spiritual life is a wonderful journey. There are times when we may meander down the road spying the hidden beauty that surrounds us--where we allow our mind to contemplate this life, our place in it, as well as the life to come. Then, there are times when we journey at a fast pace where either our strength is supplied by the Spirit and God's kingdom is at hand or where our energy is supplied by our own efforts and the beating of our heart drowns the Spirit's voice. There are other times on the journey--usually after the most profound moves of God's Spirit in our lives--when we stumble and find ourselves face down in the dirt of life.
This narrative focuses on the times in our journey when we lose sight of God--doing life apart from God. Before I continue, allow me to interject that there are times along the journey when we face what appears to be insurmountable frustration and opposition, and although we do not necessarily realize it, we are in the center of God's will--this, however, will be the topic of a future blog.
Any journey worth taking requires persistence. When we find ourselves face down in the dirt, take courage. Being prostrate before God is wonderful. To call out to God and to seek His forgiveness and wisdom is exactly what we should do daily whether we feel defeated or not. God understands our frailty. Although Jesus was crucified so that humanity could be reunited to God the Father (Colossians 1:13-23), our spirit still dwells in a body that easily chases after desires contrary to God's desire for us. When we find ourselves in this situation, the best remedy is confession and repentance (I John 1:9; Ephesians 4:17-32; Ephesians 5:15-17).
Afterward we need to press on--"...forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead..." (Philippians 3:13). We need to keep our spiritual focus. As Paul declared, "that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own..., but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith..." (Philippians 3:8-9).
And here is the victory: "...I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12). I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14).
Take courage and do not give up on the journey!
