Hey everyone! Ron here, and I’m super excited to jump into today’s podcast solo. It’s a little different since my partner-in-crime, Hope, is currently focusing on caring for her parents, who have been going through some health challenges. If you think of her, please keep her in your prayers. Life can throw some curveballs at us, can’t it?
So, what I want to talk about today is something that has been percolating in my mind. Over the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen some things in my church that sparked a conversation about the nature of our struggles—those very real battles we all face in our daily lives. It brought me back to the need for each of us to cultivate a closer relationship with God through His Word. Honestly, I believe many Christians today are more biblically illiterate than ever. And I’m not just referring to knowledge of Scripture but to a genuine, heartfelt engagement with it.
You see, as I’ve been preaching and teaching over the years, I’ve come to realize that most of what we absorb comes from our pastors, not necessarily from direct engagement with the Word ourselves. That’s a big deal! It’s not enough to just rely on what we hear on Sunday. We need our devotional lives to stay vibrant and nourished!
Three Sundays ago, I spoke about ‘making no provision for the flesh’. We dove into the 180-degree turnarounds that God can facilitate in our lives. Whether it’s a marriage, finances, or a habit weighing you down, everyone, at some point, encounters personal weaknesses. And here’s the kicker: personal weaknesses can sometimes feel overwhelmingly daunting. They can sabotage our futures; they can leave us in despair.
Now, it’s easy to blame the devil when things go wrong, but I’ve been reflecting on the internal battle that’s often overlooked. Sometimes, the biggest struggle is not external but within ourselves—our flesh battling against our spirit. The Apostle Paul brilliantly unpacks this struggle in Romans 7. He’s sharing his own journey, confessing, “The good that I will to do, I do not do.” This resonates deeply with anyone who has ever felt torn between their intentions and their actions.
As I reflect on my own journey, I cannot stress enough that we all struggle with something, and it doesn’t make us bad people. We live in a world that constantly pushes against us and our desires. What we need to remember, however, is our weaknesses are not the same as our wickedness. Weakness implies an area we’re struggling to overcome. Wickedness conveys a deliberate choice to do wrong. Understanding the nuance here can be crucial to our growth.
That’s where grace comes into play. I want you to know that wherever you are facing struggles, you are not alone. There’s grace and space for growth. And this isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about striving for progress. We need tools to help us grow! We need a mindset rooted in the Spirit, not just the flesh.
So, in wrapping up for today, I encourage you to take this time to reflect on your own struggles. Treat yourself with grace, and remember! You’re a work in progress. Whether you’re encountering a weakness or wrestling with deeper issues in your life, don’t give up.
Make sure to come back next week as we dive deeper into these themes. Let’s explore these topics together! Until then, take heart! I’m rooting for you all.
Much love,
Ron