“5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:5-6)”
Have you ever thought that someone has control issues? Perhaps you have even wondered if you have control issues. As some of my friends are using the now popular phrase, “declutter,” it is often teamed with the word “control” because we want to make decision while we can and before the kids form a committee. On our 40th anniversary the kids stood together and asked, “What’s the plan?” My husband and I had indeed been doing a reality check and had a plan that agreed with the kids so that transition was not painful. The journey with Parkinson’s and Dementia is not so easy as often I feel out of control as the disease creates symptoms I cannot control. Do I have control issues? Maybe so.
Paul today does not talk about our idiom of “control issues” but he does challenge us to ponder how we “set our mind.” Does the flesh control us or does the Holy Spirit control us? Paul would say that if we are controlled by our desires, the end product is death. Eating till I am satisfied and not stuffed might be an example. Living within my budget is another. Perhaps I might on whether I need to share that juicy tidbit of gossip or give that snarky remark to the jerk that does not drive the way I want the person to. These are common situations but left to themselves can lead to addiction or even worse, mass murders.
Paul says when we can slow our role and seek the Holy Spirit’s advice; the outcome will be peace and life. Learning to choose life and peace over death is called spiritual discipline or growth and maturity. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to shine a lamp in our hearts to see if there is some area in our life where we insist on our way or the highway, some area where our wants drive our will. Lord, thank you for your Spirit who helps us when we are weak. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with you. Blessings.
On the Way to Wonder 