Routine Chores

Just finished doing laundry, just a routine chore. However, today I was reminded that in order to complete the chore, I have to have the necessary supplies. Today, I had the clothes and towels, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, hangers, and my laundry card. However, I was short on one thing: credit on the laundry card.

I had to make a decision, wash and dry a few loads, or wash everything and hang the clothes in the shower to dry. I choose the first, the towels can wait.

How many times

do I try to accomplish God's will

without all the necessary supplies? 

What do I need? A good place to start is the Fruit of the Spirit:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

Where do I get these supplies? 

From Christ Himself.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Galatians 5:24-25.

The fruit of the Spirit is just that fruit from allowing the Holy Spirit to direct my life. I can allow Him to work, or I can ignore Him and live my life as the sinful nature directs:

"...sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." Galatians 5:19-21. 

Some may think that that "sin" is more fun, than living a righteous life. However, it is not. Think of the consequences of sin. Often sin can lead to disease, pain, suffering, and death. Think of the accidents caused by road rage. Yes, road rage is sin... "fits of rage". 

I hear you asking: "But you live in pain... is that caused by sin?" Ultimately, yes. Pain was allowed as punishment when Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Mankind endures many sufferings because of that choice.

Is my pain a direct cause to sin in my life? I don't think so. But I  have, and do confess my sins to God and He forgives me. But God allows pain for other reasons besides sin.

'As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."' John 9:1-3

It really doesn't matter

the reason for the pain,

the key NOW is to live my life

so that God is glorified. 

If my pain is a result of sin, then I need to deal with that before God (confess and repent). If God allowed the pain, so that He would be shown through me, then I have a responsibility to do just that. And in order to it completely, I need the proper supplies..... and that brings me back to the Fruit of the Spirit. 

Today, as I go about my day, no matter what my pain level, I need to show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

And the only way to do that

is to create a positive day

focusing on God and allow Him 

 to work through me.