Galatians 5:25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

When everything but the list of the sins of the flesh is underlined in my Bible in both languages, from verse 13 through the end of the chapter, it’s not easy to settle on just one verse! The list of the fruit of the Spirit in verses 22-23 is something I memorized in both languages as a child. However, I think this verse resonates with me most strongly at the moment. For once I really like the turn of phrase in the NIV. The Japanese says, “led by the Spirit,” but “keep in step” is something I can really identify with. Our lives generally have a rhythm to them, patterns we settle into without thinking much about them. To me this verse says to let the Holy Spirit set the rhythm, and then follow it. Making conscious decisions about everything quickly becomes exhausting. I think this verse is telling us to let the Spirit be our “autopilot,” our “self-driving mode,” and to get our flesh out of the driver’s seat.

I identify so strongly with “keeping in step” because I was first in a marching band in the 4^th grade, and was in various bands on through college. By the time I got into the Army, marching was so natural to me that I was quickly chosen to call cadence for the other recruits in basic training. However, I have also learned that keeping in step with the people around you isn’t nearly as beneficial or important as keeping in step with the Spirit. Around the time I was in college the idea of “marching to the beat of a different drummer” was seen as something of a romantic ideal, and was claimed by many of the hippies of the day. Sadly, I could see that their “drummer” was just the devil in a different outfit. Right now, dealing with physical injury, I am very aware of how demanding  of attention the flesh can be. Pain can make me self-centered and short with those around me. That doesn’t feel good! I certainly don’t want to add emotional or even spiritual pain to my physical pain. My current circumstances are further training in ignoring the other “beats” around me in order to keep in step with the Spirit.

Father, thank you for this time of training. I pray that I would not rebel against it, but rather learn all that You are wanting to teach me, to make me a more obedient son and better servant, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!