Diverting Your Passions

  

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?"

-James 4:1

 

 

  I slept in this morning. By the time I had awakened David had boarded his school bus and the wife was also getting ready to leave for work. The past few weeks have been extremely busy and I was appreciative of the extra hour of sleep. As I bid the wife farewell, I decided it was a good time to get back into my walking regimen. I donned my shorts, T-shirt, my reflective vest and shoes. As I was about to apply my leg weights I became cognizant of the sound of running water. I opened the front door and was greeted by a heavy downpour of rain that was not present just seconds ago.  I was more surprised than disappointed; perhaps because the television forecast had predicted rain and they actually got it right.  "Oh, well", I thought, "I may as well use the morning productively."

 

  Walking in the Spirit has taught me to be aware of my surroundings at all times. I am quick to hear, slow to speak on things I do not readily understand, and I am much better at preventing myself from getting angry at life's many situations.  This attitude not only helps me to be less stressful throughout my days, but it also helps me to be the man I need to be in my home for my family.

 

   Have you ever wanted to have your cake and eat it too? Did you ever try to convince yourself that you could handle all that was on your plate and more?

Men do not like growing up. When life calls us to the unavoidable responsibilities of work, parenthood, husbandry, and sober thinking we often do not respond to it as we should. Besides, who said I can't play before I pay bills? And who was it that started the rumour that I had to sometimes miss my football games to spend time doing adult things like ensuring my bills were paid and gas was in the car and groceries were bought and time was spent with the children and the wife?     



 

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me." - 1 Corinthians 13:11

 



   I have learned that the hardest thing about living a sincere and wholesome life, (you know, the kind of life that will reward you to spend eternity with Jesus), is learning to tell myself "No". Although it is a fact that the Spirit is willing but our fleshly nature is very weak, it does not negate the fact that we must bring our flesh under subjection lest we become double-minded and unstable in every decision we have to make. (See James 1:8). 

 

  Today I strive to continue to seek a balance in my life; knowing that some of my decisions will not sit well with some others but my concern is that my decisions do sit well with God and my family.  Besides, haven't we learned by now that living your life to please someone else is profoundly impossible and exorbitantly overrated?  Sometimes our biggest battles are fought within our own bodies.

 

Do what you know is right.

I love you all.

Dennis