Stop Trying Harder

Hi leaders,

I've spent this past week reading slowly through Galatians — a chapter each morning — and it has been working on me.

Here's what Paul is up against in that letter. A group had come into the Galatian churches teaching that Jesus was necessary but not quite sufficient. You needed Jesus and circumcision. Jesus and the law. Jesus and your performance. Paul's response is not gentle, because the stakes are not small: if the cross wasn't enough, then Christ died for nothing.

We don't argue about circumcision anymore. But so often we continue to say, “Jesus and _______”

But where I got stuck on Saturday morning was on 5:16–18: "Walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh."

And here's the word from the Lord I couldn't shake: “You don't defeat the flesh by staring at the flesh all day.” You defeat the flesh by living under the influence, the leadership, and the power of the Holy Spirit.

That's the whole thing. Most of us fight sin by monitoring it — watching it, managing it, feeling bad about it. But that's still self-effort wearing a spiritual costume. Notice that Paul calls what God grows in us fruit, not results. Fruit isn't manufactured. It's produced by something alive.

This is something that has taken me a long time to learn. For so long I tried to defeat my sinful tendencies by trying harder and doing more, and then I'd get so frustrated when it didn't go the way I wanted it to. I'm a little slow coming to this, but it wasn't until I started making room for the Holy Spirit in my life that my attitudes and my desires started to change. The Spirit does what I cannot do in my own power. He changes me from the inside out.

Now, don't hear me say I've arrived or that I don't struggle — that couldn't be further from the truth. But slowly, day by day, the Holy Spirit is changing me. I'm recognizing that I don't defeat my fleshly desires by staring at the flesh. I defeat them by focusing on the Spirit.

So here is a challenge for you this week: Every morning, practice at least one minute of surrender. Before the day starts, name out loud the one thing you're gripping — the temper, the anxiety, the habit, the relationship — and hand it to the Spirit. Don't resolve to fix it. Ask Him to do what only He can do. Fix your eyes on Him and not your flesh.

Upcoming Opportunities

Covenant Family Membership Gathering — Saturday, August 15, 5:30–8:00 PM, Walnut Grove Campus (K–3rd grade room), open to both campuses. This is for anyone exploring what it means to call Church at the Grove home. You will hear our heart, our mission, our beliefs, and how you can get plugged in. As we settle into a more normal rhythm this fall, this is the best possible time for you to get plugged in. Registration is required: Sign up here.

Family Night of Worship — Sunday, August 16, 5:00–7:00 PM, Walnut Grove Campus. Both campuses together. Food trucks open at 5:00 (for purchase), worship begins at 6:00. Bring your family, bring your group, bring a neighbor.

Prayer Points for the Week

• For our student and production pastor searches. Pray God sends the right people, and that we'd have the patience to wait for them.
• For the one person in your life whose life isn't going well right now. We talked about this Sunday morning. Pray for them by name this week, then take a step — meet a physical need and a spiritual one. Bring them toward Jesus with your hands, not just your words.
• For the hurting in our church family. We spent part of Sunday morning praying over people walking through real hardship, and there are more than most of us realize. If you know of a need, please post it on the prayer wall so the rest of us can carry it with you.

Resources to consider

• The Silent Killer of Christian Men — This is a great article from Costi Hinn from For the Gospel. He talks about the silent killer of men…passivity. While he is writing to men I think that it is beneficial for everyone to take a few minutes to read.

Grateful for each of you,

Nathan