The Spirit Is Willing, But The Flesh Is Weak

Am I the only one that has ever had great plans and aspirations, but can’t seem to muster the resolve to bring them to action? I like to blame it on getting older and having less energy. Course one of the reasons I have less energy is because I had plans and aspirations to begin working out and exercising and eating better foods, but………. Well, you know the rest of the story. Am I the only one who has ever had a bad habit that was hurting me physically or spiritually and, despite a good deal of prayer and my best intentions, I continued the bad habit?

Jesus tells us that “the spirit is willing, but the body is weak” (Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38). When Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane and asked His closest disciples to pray and keep watch, despite their best intentions they kept falling asleep. I think sometimes that we are simply physically and spiritually lazy and even though we confess our desire to change with our mouth, it is nothing but an empty promise. In this case, I think we have to be intentional about our desire for change and develop a plan of action with deadlines and milestones to gauge achievement. We may even need to engage accountability partners to help us firm up our resolve on a daily basis. Just as the man told Jesus, “I do believe! Help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24), we too believe that we will make the change we need to make but a part of us is holding back. Ultimately, we simply need to be consistent in our walk with God; in our reading and study of the Bible, in daily devotionals, in regular prayer/communication with Him throughout every day. “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do…” (1 Peter 1:13-15).

I think other times we do and do and wear ourselves to the breaking point trying to change something on our own and we continue to fail. We ask ourselves, “what more can I do”? Perhaps this is necessary to get us to that breaking point where we realize that, in fact, we cannot make the necessary change in ourselves. It is only God that can change us through His Holy Spirit. Don’t take this as an excuse to cop out and do nothing to try and bring about change in your life where change is needed; but consider the fact that you need God to do the real work for you and so all you really have to do is totally surrender to Him. Sounds a lot easier than it is. Again, many of us say the right words, pray the right prayers; “I surrender to You O Lord, totally and completely, make me Your vessel and do with me what You will”. And yet still, our hearts are not always in synch with our mouths. Believe with your heart that which you say with your lips. Pray with your soul that which you beg with your tongue. Humble yourself completely. Submit totally to the power and glory and mercy and ability of the Almighty. His flesh is not weak and when you ask Him to make you clean if He is willing, He will respond, “I am willing. Be clean!” (Matthew 8:3).

Am I Doing Enough?

Am I doing enough? I think most Christians driven by their wish to emulate their Father, their Savior, their Lord and their Comforter, would have to say a resounding "No!". I've certainly felt more and more unworthy at times, the closer my walk with Jesus becomes. He has a way of shining a bright light squarely onto our selfish desires and our wished-to-be-forgotten sins. Recently I've been reading Jesus Freaks: Revolutionaries by DC Talk which chronicles the heroic actions of many, many Christian martyrs and other faithful servants who have put and still are putting their lives in danger for the sake of Christ. As I read their astounding stories, I'm both lifted up by them and crestfallen that I don't seem to measure up. I start to think things like "I need to be smuggling Bibles into China or sitting in a prison in Russia, proudly proclaiming my faith in the one true God and my savior Jesus Christ". But instead I am living in middle-class comfort in relative religious freedom here in America. Sure, I work for peanuts for a non-profit trying to help indigent substance abusers begin a process of recovery from their illness and I tithe and I volunteer for the church every week, etc.., but am I doing enough? I also just read "John's Story" by LeHaye, a fictional account about the apostle John's life. The most astounding stuff that John did happened when he was very old and frail in his 90's and beyond!!



It can be very discouraging at times to think about the fact that not only do I fall miserably short in comparison to Jesus, but I fail in comparison to the actions of many of my fellow Christians! Thankfully, God is merciful and knows better than I whether or not my actions measure up. Furthermore, it is not for me to compare myself to anyone else anyway. While my activities may seem safe and mundane, totally lacking in punch and pizazz, God has a bigger plan than I am aware of. It is my job to try my best to follow God's instructions, to give all that I have in everything that I do, knowing that the Almighty Creator of the universe is my employer and expects nothing less than my best. I don't think I will ever be able to say that I am doing enough, but I know that is the very thing that keeps me on my knees with my head bowed in humble submission. And that is when God works wonders through us.

Father, I pray that I will always be a willing vessel, to accept Your commands and to let you drive my actions. I pray that I will not focus on how much I am doing, lest I be in danger of falling into comfortable arrogance or jealous resentment. Help me to trust that whatever task You send me to do today, no matter how seemingly small and insignificant, that I will rush to comply with eagerness and joy and thank You for the honor to serve You in whatever way You see fit.