Life typically comes at us a hundred miles an hour. We make preparations but many times, it doesn’t pan out like we had planned. Some of us are working through family issues, a difficult marriage or prodigal kids. Some of us have extended illnesses or trying to overcome cancer. Others have a tremendous amount of stress in your work environment or financial issues. Some of us suffered the loss of someone dear you thought would be around for a while longer. Hardship is a part of life but you don’t have to walk through it alone.
Paul tells us in Galatians 6 that God gives us a spirit of power and strength, not one of timidity. Paul is animate that when we say “yes” to Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit lives within us and then through the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we can overcome anything life throws our way. Indeed, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.
First in Galatians 6, Paul reminds us that in Jesus, we’ll never walk alone. Verses 1, 2, and 6, he gives us some of the “one another” reminders. In fact, there are 59 times in the New Testament where followers of Jesus are reminded that we are in this thing called life, together! We are reminded that we bear each other’s burdens. No one in Christ ever needs to struggle alone. We have the Holy Spirit but also each other as the family of God.
Other writers remind us to accept one another, love one another, serve one another, bear with each other, be patient with each other, forgive one another, pray for one another and honor each other. Over and over we are reminded when you say “yes” to Jesus, you are adopted into the family of God and treated as family.
Secondly, Paul reminds us in Galatians 6 that with the Holy Spirit living within us, we’ll have an “I won’t quit” attitude in life. The world will never stops giving it to you in bad and difficult ways. There will be days you will want to give up, throw in the towel, and walk away. That’s what the enemy wants you to do.
When I was in basic military training in the 80s, I got off the bus and thought, “What have I done?” Drill instructors were yelling at me constantly. We had to do all kinds of PT and training. Up early every morning. More yelling. Our drill instructor told us in the dorm, here’s a brass bell. If you can’t handle it, just ring the bell and I’ll get you out of here.
For those of us who want to change the world for Jesus, we cannot ring the bell. Things will get difficult from time to time but that’s when we remember we have family in Jesus that will help carry our burden.
Finally, Paul reminds us when you live into the Gospel, the fear of humans shrink and glorying God grows. You begin to discover that you really don’t care what others might say about you or do to you. What matters is the Gospel story and helping others in the world see that there is a better way. Paul says that he was crucified to the world and the world no longer cares about him either. So should it be for all of us who follow Jesus.
Paul finishes by saying, “What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation.” So that’s my prayer for you. Follow Jesus closely. So closely, the dust of your rabbi settles upon you. Allow the Holy Spirit to work in your life. Difficulties will come. That’s a promise Jesus told us while he was on earth. But he went on to say, have no fear, though, for I have overcome the world. Blessings on your journey.