“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for theses are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.” Gal 5:17
I’m not a southpaw. Two children of my four children are left handed but not me. As with all of us the hand I’ve used all my life has greater strength and capacities than my left hand. In the past I’ve tried writing or dribbling a basketball with my left hand and the results are always the same it feels awkward. It’s not natural.
Recently I’ve challenged myself with a new experiment. My dog loves to go on long walks. He has the energy of three dogs in one and never seems to tire out. When we go on our adventures I always bring his ball, he is after all a retriever. One morning I thought to myself, “try using your left arm to throw the ball.” After the first throw I wanted to fall to my knees because I was laughing so hard. If someone were watching they would have thought I’d never seen a ball or knew what to do with it. It was truly comical.
I wasn’t surprised that it felt unnatural or that my left arm was so weak in comparison to the arm I’ve always used. So what did I decide to do? Did I go back to throwing the ball with my right arm? No, I made up my mind to keep trying. The challenge for me was train and strengthen that part of my body to do something that doesn’t come naturally. It’s been about five weeks and I’m happy to report that although it still seems a bit awkward, my left handed throw is getting better.
When the apostle Paul was wrapping up his letter to the Galatian believers he describes the two forces at work within us- the Holy Spirit and our flesh. Every one of us has that side of ourselves (the flesh) that has all the inclinations for sin. It comes naturally. We don’t have to work at being selfish, envious or judge mental. God’s word tells us we’ve been born into sin and all the thoughts and behavior that comes with it. But, when we give our lives to Christ there is a new force at work within us, more powerful, more mighty than the power of our flesh. Christ’s Holy Spirit now lives in us and enables us to live a life that is pleasing to God contrary to what we would naturally do.
As I challenge myself to strengthen my left arm I have to be aware, deliberate and intentional. So it is with the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. It doesn’t come natural to our human flesh, but if we are aware, deliberate and intentional to allow Him to do what only He can do, we will be strengthened and our weakness will give way to His glory!
Amen.