By
Pastor Linda Clifford-Hayes
September 2016
I was rolling back the covers getting into bed last night minding my own business, when I heard in my spirit ‘he that sows to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption and he that does to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap eternal life’. Galatians 6:8 . It came up like pebble does in clear spring water. I said what is this…! I immediately reflected on my actions of the day.
I weighed up what I had sowed for the day and found myself sadly wanting and more….. that I had been feeding my flesh with things that had no spiritual advantage for me and would somewhere down the line , work at eroding or corrupting my spirit.
I had spent most of the day in what I call a ‘fudge’ in front of the box under the duvet, reading , sewing (hemmed a nice new tablecloth) generally pottering and doodling. I did have Father on my mind , spoke of him to another on the phone and gave my testimony passionately, but when I weighed it up with the other things , )particularly the X factor and the new super Zoids – the latter a political satire) …. I was disappointed with myself. I had allowed fleshy things to snatch and wile away many precious hours – what for? To titillate my flesh and to build my own nest.
As I lay on my pillow, I examined myself further ie how I felt in my spirit at this point in my life. I examined my sowing and reaping to date. I realised that I was not where I had been, where I should be or where I wanted to be. I reflected on the Word that had come to save me and thanked God for the nudge.
I looked back over the years and realised my best years, my years of feeling fulfilled and at peace (not dis-eased) , was when I was sowing to the spirit ie doing the things of God , that I have been called to do (including encouraging the saints). I long to return to that place of rest and fulfilment.
And so, my prayer today for myself and for you my brothers and sisters or anyone who reads this , is this to : Consider our ways, (see also Haggai chapter 1) that is, where do we stand, less we fall.
PRAYER
Father, in the Name Jesus we come. We thank you for your timely word that is able to cause reflection and to save our souls. Father, we are in danger of being caught up in the many attractions and distractions of this world – things that give us momentary comfort, but things which have no eternal value.
Lord, you have weighed me/us with your balances and I have found myself wanting. I have no excuse, as your word and instructions are as clear as day.
We can judge each situation ourself by the Truth of your word and by your Holy spirit working in us, for our good.
Restore the years, minutes hours that have been eaten by the wormwood and our sowing to the flesh. Teach us the good and proper way. Teach us to number our days and to apply our hearts to your wisdom – not the wisdom of this world. Direct our time, the minutes the hours.
Lord, in all our getting and our comfortable ‘duvet days’ , let us seek , get and be comfortable with you.