Walk by the Spirit

Starting soon after I met my best friend Sarah at the park & our moms realized thatwe lived just a few miles apart, our moms began walking together daily on our dirt road. That was almost 20 years ago and they continue to this day.

 

Over the years of walking together, a very special friendship formed. Now Sarah, her sisters, and I have joined in to and love to walk together every chance we get.

It's a time to tell stories, laugh, give and receive advice, and if anything else know that you have a companion next ya as you are huffing and puffing trying to get up that hill!

What a blessing to have friends, who are now much more like family, to walk through life with! Literally!

 

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That brings me to daily life. How many days do I try to struggle up the hills of life without my walking partner? Without Him I'm left feeling inadequate, alone, and insecure. Feelings that as a woman in today's world are really easy to let rise up.

 

I read Galatians 5 this morning and realized that I've probably been walking in the flesh a little more than I'd like to admit.

 

Galatians 5:16

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.

 

It goes on to list the "acts of the flesh" in verse 19. At first my pride jumps in and says "those are really awful things, of course I'd never have them in my life!" And then I look a little closer:

hatred

discord

jealousy

fits of rage

selfish ambition

envy

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OUCH.

If I was being really honest, I'd say that those things could be found behind closed doors in my home or in my heart quite often.

 

As Christians we have a walking partner waiting to take our hand and walk daily with us- right by our side. And yet so often I choose to walk through life on my own. Why??

 

Verse 13 says, "You, my brothers and sisters, were CALLED TO BE FREE!"  It goes on to talk about not being free by induldging in the flesh, but serving one another in HUMBLE LOVE.

 

Why am I living in bondage when God calls me to be free?? And all I have to do is WALK WITH HIM!

 

In my own flesh I can't humbly love my husband when he shows up late with no call letting me know where he was and a cold dinner on the table. But if I'm walking with the Spirit, I have freedom from the hatred and fits of rage that want to rise up within me. I can look on social media and instead of becoming jealous of women around me who have a nicely decorated home or just got flowers from their husband, and can be geniunely happy for my sister in Christ. I can go about my days serving others joyfully instead of never feeling satisfied from a heart full of selfish ambition.

 

My prayer today is that the "acts of flesh" would disappear from my life as I choose to daily walk with my Savior. Not only would they disappear, but that the fruit of the Spirit would replace them.

 

Galatians 5:22

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control.

 

Doesn't that sound so much lovelier?

 

Verse 24&25 say

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh and its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit!!!

 

Oh that I would daily keep in step with Jesus and it would become evident in my life. I need a renewal and a fresh start. Today is the day I say no to flesh & choose to walk with Him.

What about you??