The other day I took my golden retriever, Chloe, out for her daily walk. As we headed out the back door she pulled me so hard I almost fell down. I pulled on her collar and yelled, "Walk, Chloe, just walk." It took that hard yank to get her attention which made her walk more in step with me. Things were good for awhile and then she began doing the opposite. She was so busy sniffing all the good smells around her that she became distracted by them and she was lagging behind when I wanted to move forward.
All of that reminded me of our walk with the LORD. When the Holy Spirit is leading us we often want to pull ahead and run - sometimes with our own ideas and agenda. We step out in front of the LORD and before we realize it we have missed the very plans He has for us. Or, we lag behind because we are so busy fussing with all the other "stuff" in our lives that we don't pay any attention to where He's leading us.
- Galatians 5:24-25
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. [emphasis mine]
- Romans 8:5-7
5 Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
The closer we abide - staying in step with the Spirit's leading - the more direction the LORD will give us. The end is life and peace. I want that!!
Choosing JOY,
Stephanie
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