Coming from Vermont, I’m still not used to the beautiful weather in South Carolina. While a severe snowstorm was oppressing my friends in the North, we were experiencing a light breeze and temperatures in the mid-sixties. The colors are still bleak in South Carolina, but that’s certainly preferable to a foot of snow. Over the weekend, I took Franklin for his daily walk around our neighborhood, expecting him to enjoy the mild weather. He usually loves an opportunity to proudly trot through our community, but this Saturday he reached into his old nature and found a stubborn streak. Perhaps there was a scent in the air he found unpleasant. Perhaps he didn’t like the wind tussling his well-groomed, fluffy ears. Whatever the reason, Franklin did not want to go on his walk. He dug his hind paws into the ground. With a bit of prodding from me, he’d walk for a bit and then resist again.
Sadly, this is not terribly different from my walk with God. There are times when I dig my heels in, refusing to move. Though the weather in my life is calm compared to some, I’ll still fight against the direction God is leading me. My old nature is at war with my desire to follow God.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. (Galatians 5:17 NIV)
I can’t walk in two directions at the same time. I’m either walking on God’s path for my life or my own. They may intersect from time to time, but they are decidedly different. In Franklin’s case, he didn’t want to move at all. That is a choice, but God’s desire is for us to move forward because he is always moving forward. You can’t walk with God if you refuse to walk.
Father, show me the areas of my life where I’m refusing to move. Reveal how I’m resisting you, and make me willing to move forward. Amen.
