Life in the Spirit

I think I've wrote this piece 14 times. And then deleted it 14 times. I am a deep-thinker, an over-thinker quite frankly, but definitely not a theologian. How does one say "I am going to take on Romans 8" when they don't have at least 7 degrees behind their name? So I kept pushing it aside but then this one verse kept haunting me:

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Holy Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace ~ Romans 8:6 NLT

I hate to admit it, but I can tell you I have been on both sides of this verse. I don't know about you but there are times when I was through waiting on God and I'd try to take control. To take care of me by me and through me and me alone. I honestly thought it was the "path of least resistance." And for about 8 weeks exactly, it was. But then things got rough fast. I can tell you it became a truly painful lesson to learn. But God is merciful and, very much learning the hard way, He showed me having patience, waiting and trusting on Him brings me so much more than I could ever produce on my own.

Thankfully, I am now on the flip side of that verse. I've never known more peace in my life. I rest in it. Things still aren't sorted out in my life. I'm still learning. But above all, I see His faithfulness every where I look. Faithful has got to be the most treasured word in my vocabulary.

So as a girl who has seen both sides of the fence, it breaks my heart to still see so many who are trying to make it on their own. And it's led me to wonder why do we feed our flesh when it's our spirits that are eternal?

My dad and I were talking about this the other day. We live in the most blessed nation in the world. Truly, anything we want is attainable. And so we strive and strive to attain the closest stance we can to a perfect life on this earth. But yet, we stay surfacey in our spiritual walk. Does the line at the "He-Brews" church coffee shop gets more of our time than our devotional? I won't lie. I've totally fallen into that category many times myself. I had made my spiritual life, well, comfortable.

Think about it: how many people who knew they had a week left would say my last request is to finally take that missions trip to the Amazon, to set up funds for that orphanage in Cambodia, or to spend quality time with those neighbors next to me who are planning on divorce? And forget even having a week to live, with all the time in the world, would we even want to do that right now?

Perhaps we don't want to get too "spiritual." Certain standards seem to bring up all the connotations of rules and laws one must follow as a Christian. Because we live in an independent society, do we not want to be "locked down"? But yet doesn't the Bible say, "..Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom)" (2 Corinthians 3:17 Amplified)?

I'm not sure why we think it is easier to live life with our own set of rules. But what I do know, life will always be hard; that I promise you. And while a lot of times it's hard to be patient, and while we learn tremendous lessons in trust daily, literally making the decision to focus our hearts and minds on the Spirit, on the eternal side of life, will bring all the hope we need.

Honestly, this is just my first thoughts on all of this... I still have ideas to explore; however, I just wanted to say to any of you who may have taken the time to read this, my hope and prayer is that you are knowing abundant life and joy today.

Peace and love everyone...