But if you are led by the Spirit. (Gal. 5:18)
Expanded Passage: Galatians 5:16-26
My mentor constantly reminds me to create space for God in my life. I struggled to understand why I needed to make space if God is always with me. It then dawned on me that so many things in my chaotic life bring distraction and misguidance to what life is supposed to be like. I can quickly go down the rabbit hole of discontentment with what I have, grieve when it feels I don’t have as much time as I would wish for my relationships, and wonder if I am enough for my family, friends, and church.
A spiritual battle surrounds us. Voices of discouragement and messages from the world emphasize money, material possessions, and attention to have a whole and happy life. But often, we come away feeling less ourselves—more lonely, depressed, discouraged, and in a downward spiral of unhappiness.
But there is hope. “If you are led by the Spirit,” Paul says, we will have fruit that bubbles out of us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We can embrace a life that creates a community of unity, love, humility, and people who are entirely more themselves. Being led by the Spirit is a daily calling and choice to deny ourselves, go against the grain of our world, and let God lead us into a new way of being alive.
Reflect on how you are creating space for God in your life.
Sarah Linder is a lay minister for congregational care at College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana, and a stay-at-home mom of three boys.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
