So I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
It was a rainy Thursday, I was as usual having a tough time getting my things together, was feeling ragged and rushed. And then came the time to leave, and inevitably I forgot a couple items I needed later that evening. My family and I were attending a baseball game in York, and you see, I wanted my radio along to follow along with the play by play while the action on the field was happening. I have to say by the way, the play-by-play man in York, Daryl Henry who does the Revolution games is as good as any major league announcer. He makes the game come alive!
Anyhow, all the way to my first appointment that day, I’m stressing about not having the radio, and my cellphone then goes completely dead, never to recover, I now was literally shoved into getting a new one! So I’m thinking about that. And then, I’m practicing music to memorize with Ben, and it goes pretty well. But then, now it’s time to leave for the game, (luckily my family found me a radio and earbuds, but now I can’t find my phone.) Finally, I breathe as I found it stuck in the couch. Mom said we weren’t leaving without it. I wasn’t so concerned about my phone, just about holding my family up when they were ready to go.
Well anyhow, we got to the ballpark, got a great parking spot, but they only played a half inning, then the game was called because the field was deemed unplayable by the umpires. This whole back drop’s happening as I’m thinking about leaving the two guests I already had staying with me at the parsonage, wondering how their day is going, and thinking about how much time I am wasting here!
Accept then after a day I realized, God had a purpose for all that. I thought about the blessings. I got to the doctors, I got to see my family, I was able to have dinner with them, and Ben and I shared a good practice time together. On top of the fact all my transportation worked out perfectly and the timing was great!
Friends Paul’s desire for us is to remember our blessings in the Spirit. To not be defined by, or find blessing in the things of the flesh, to complain about what we don’t have, but to feel God’s blessing in what we do! Paul encourages the Galatians here to remember to whom they really belong, not to be joyful about their belongings here on earth!
So this week, even ordinary things won’t go according to plan. Likely somewhere soon, you’ll forget something, misplace something, not do something the way you wanted. But just remember in those moments of weakness, to walk by the Spirit, and be filled anyway with the blessing of God. It’ll be so much more freeing. And hey, none of the other stuff will last. Why not walk by, and live with what will!
To God be the glory
Pastor Brandon