Flesh and Spirit

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. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:16‭-‬17 NIV

The hubby and I were just talking about this today. I am about to embark in a new job which is still somewhat in the field I've been in but I will miss the community I have grown to love. But in order for me to grow I need to move on. It's what's best for my family because it's not about me. It's about our future and what we want out of life. It's not about me. It's about where God wants me in preparing me for my future with him. It's not about mr. It's about preparing my children to chase their dreams. It's not about me.

Because me is flesh and the flesh cannot co-exist with the spirit. I must die to myself and live for God. That is how we ensure our eternity with him. I must die to myself so that I don't desire what the flesh desires. I think that's why as we get older material things mean less and less because we see the value in time.

God sees the value in us. Don't let what you want taint his view. Want after God and he will give you your desires. It's a win-win. Because remember: it's not about you.

Do I Have To?

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:35‭-‬36 NIV

Boy isn't this the hardest thing to do? How can you possibly have mercy on those who would do you harm? Who want to see you fail? Who laugh at your misfortune? Or worse...pretend to like you then spread lies about you. Be merciful? Love them? Come on. Jesus cannot be serious.

Oh but he is. What makes it harder still is that when we actually accomplish this type of heroic feat, we expect worldly rewards. But read again what he says about that: you will be children of the most high. That's your reward. To be a child of God. This means your reward is eternity with him if you truly have him in your heart.

We will all live to see someone reap a reward they didn't earn while we struggle and get no where. Our hope lies not in earthly goods or comforts but in knowing our eternity is secure. We have hope for a future they won't have unless they change. We do not fear physical defeat or death yet they live and die by the sword.

Our best answer is to heed Jesus' words and to pray for those who persecute us. For in doing so he fills our hearts with love for them that goes beyond human capacity for understanding.

Love for Puppies

But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:5‭-‬6 NIV

It would take a while to unpack the simple statement of "live as Jesus did." I think we can safely say that he lived with love for his fellow man. A love that transcended their station, their age, their ethnicity, and their past. He operated with the intent of actively loving every person he came in contact with. He didn't live his life looking for glory or praise. He simply loved.

What if we operated like that? I have seen it in action. I hope that I have  exhibited it at some point. I witnessed it in no small portion this week as people put their love in action to help find a lost puppy a home. They didn't have to. They could have ignored the ask for help. But they opened their hearts to help because of love. Good, honest love and kindness for a fellow living creature.

Live in love and love for all. Live as Jesus lived.

The Master Craftsman

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 NIV

In my work I have created items such as manuals, policies, processes and more. I did research, worked with my team and we ended up with a good product. One that we trust and know inside and out. My husband built a deck in our back yard as well as a fire pit and some benches. He created those with his hands. He trusts the work and knows exactly what it's made of and what they can do.

I'm sure you have created things in your life and I bet you're proud of them. You know them, you trust them and they are a part of you.

So can you imagine how much pride God takes in each and everything he creates? He doesn't bring anything into existence without a specific purpose. He takes great care to carefully craft each line, corner, curve and trim. Everything has a unique purpose and he makes sure he makes it to fit that purpose. He took great care to create you and you...every curve, flaw, perfect feature or sassy attitude....he made you exactly like he needed you to be for his glory.

Revel in God's creation, including yourself.

The Peacemaker

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1‭-‬3 NIV

I fancy myself a peacekeeper, not the Colt 45 type, but a peacemaker of sorts. I passed on my quasi abilities to my older daughter who is so much braver than I am. She is the Colt 45 original peacekeeper. She has no time or energy for squabbles, fusses, or shenanigans. She speaks up, clears it up and then moves on. I marvel at how she has honed her ability over the years. I play-act at being a peacekeeper most of the time. She's the real thing.

But why shouldn't she be brave? If she's speaking in love, and handling things with humility and gentleness, she is abiding by the words in this verse. She knows that as adults we need to leave the antics to the kids who are still working out their place in the chain. But even children can be peacekeepers. She was. She was the one friend who didn't put up with "I won't be your friend if you talk to her" nonsense. And that happens in the adult world, all too often I'm afraid. We treat each other with disdain as if we all can't occupy the same general space in peace and unity.

This is what we are charged with. It takes time to learn this skill so of god has blessed you with the peacekeeper skill, please use them with humility.  We need people like you. Blessed are the peacekeepers.

Go Around

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9 NIV

This morning while teaching some of our junior green and blue belts, I gave instructions on how to run the obstacle course. I told them to go around one of the blockers and watch out for others crossing their path. I was teaching them to be aware of their surroundings and to adjust quickly to avoid collision. Well, turns out they didn't quite understand the phrase 'go around'. They did everything but go around.  I don't know how many times we kept telling them to no good end.

Afterwards, I sat them down and explained the meaning of go around and why it's important. At some point in their life they will have to go around something to get where they want to go. Going through an obstacle may not be safe,  and you certainly can't occupy the same physical space as another person. It was a lecture of sorts, my version of judgement I guess.

I hope they heard me. Repetition breeds familiarity so we will work on it again next time. And as they learn we will make it harder so they can hone their skills. This is how they learn the right way to do a drill or obstacle course or a form.

God works the same way. We can learn his word and hone our skills or his judgement comes to correct us. Then we learn what's right and move on. I'd rather get it right the first time but we don't always have that luxury. Praise be that God's judgement is meted out with love. Just like I love those kids. We'll get it next time.

Cats and Dogs

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38 NIV

I think some days this doesn't apply....especially when you have cats. You give them food, water, shelter, play toys, clean potties and love. What do you get in return? Cold stares that could wear down a rock. Yep, cats are aloof mythical creatures I will never understand. You will never get back what you put into loving a cat.

Now a dog is a different story. You can ignore them and they still come running. The more you love, the more they love.

But we aren't animals. We have eternal souls, the intent of which we are judged by. God sees our hearts. We can give a million dollars but if we give it to get attention or undue gain, then it's as though we didn't give it at all. God doesn't see the amount. He sees the intent of the heart.

Give with all you have and with a happy heart. For even farmers know you reap what you sow.