Ain't it the Truth!
I find it to be a law that when I want to do what is good, evil lies close at hand. Romans 7:21
The two travel with us, don't they? In the cartoons it's the halo sporting angel on one shoulder and the pitchfork toteing trickster on the other... just in earshot with a whisper, of course.
Decisions, decisions, decisions! It is a choice, of course. One or the other.
Now, I'm not one for that hard line that the flesh= evil thing. There are certainly times when I would admit to substituting the word "feelings" for the word "flesh". My feelings can get me into a whole bunch of trouble.... by 'feeling' sad, or lonely, or depressed, or unloved, or unappreciated, or undeserving I am tempted to do something that will dispel, diminish or stiffle those not-so-good feelings.
My conscience tells me that certain things are right, deserving, inherently good--- and that doing those things, noticed or not, is well- just the right thing to do. Putting in a full day's work is the good thing to do, whether a promotion is on the horizon or it is not. Thinking of others and attending to their needs is a good thing, whether it can be reciprocated or it cannot.
Maybe it's a matter of taking your "I"s off of it.... when God is at the center of things, rather than you as the focal point of your universe, there is less tension. If your acts of honesty, kindness, appreciation, dedication, courage are God-inspired and come from a place of gratitude, there is less conflict.
I have been very fortunate to come across beautiful, simple souls as this. Their pure hearts, generousity of Spirit and sheer faith are exquisitely eloquent. Look around you to find a role model to study.... you will be able to see it in their lives, in their faces, in their eyes.....
....to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
The two travel with us, don't they? In the cartoons it's the halo sporting angel on one shoulder and the pitchfork toteing trickster on the other... just in earshot with a whisper, of course.
Decisions, decisions, decisions! It is a choice, of course. One or the other.
Now, I'm not one for that hard line that the flesh= evil thing. There are certainly times when I would admit to substituting the word "feelings" for the word "flesh". My feelings can get me into a whole bunch of trouble.... by 'feeling' sad, or lonely, or depressed, or unloved, or unappreciated, or undeserving I am tempted to do something that will dispel, diminish or stiffle those not-so-good feelings.
My conscience tells me that certain things are right, deserving, inherently good--- and that doing those things, noticed or not, is well- just the right thing to do. Putting in a full day's work is the good thing to do, whether a promotion is on the horizon or it is not. Thinking of others and attending to their needs is a good thing, whether it can be reciprocated or it cannot.
Maybe it's a matter of taking your "I"s off of it.... when God is at the center of things, rather than you as the focal point of your universe, there is less tension. If your acts of honesty, kindness, appreciation, dedication, courage are God-inspired and come from a place of gratitude, there is less conflict.
I have been very fortunate to come across beautiful, simple souls as this. Their pure hearts, generousity of Spirit and sheer faith are exquisitely eloquent. Look around you to find a role model to study.... you will be able to see it in their lives, in their faces, in their eyes.....
....to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6
posted by Joanna Depue | 3:38 AM
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