Have you ever ridden a train or a subway? I haven't, but I know that many people do. It's a simple and inexpensive way to travel. Plus, it's nice just to be able to sit down and leave the cares and hassles of commuting to the skills of an engineer. No traffic jam to sit and wait in, just enjoy the scenery, read the newspaper, do some laptop work or maybe catch a nap. And mostly, you don't have to make any of those mundane decisions to get you to where you need to be.
It's also nice when you can leave your cares for a longer period of time and take a plane trip to a distant land, or maybe some restful or romantic spot. Perhaps charter a vacation on a sea cruise and forget about the problems back home. Having to make decisions on a daily basis can be a pain, and many of us would just prefer to go with the flow and let someone else do the thinking for us. Making decisions comes naturally for many people, and allowing them to do it can be very satisfying to the flesh (mind ,will and emotions). When it comes to simple, comfortable and easier, just accept what other people say or do and go along with the crowd.
As wonderful as that may sound, there can still be problems, especially when it comes to crowds. You can find yourself on the wrong train or going the wrong way. It happens all the time and it will continue to happen, both physically and spiritually. The Bible warns us of the dangers of the broad road. (Mt.7:13&14)) Many people in society and in churches have become content to leave decisions and directions in the care of their political leaders, bosses and ministers. This can also happen in family relationships. People will often forgo their responsibilities at work, at home and even with their personal walk with the Lord, by just yielding to the flesh.
We should be listening to the Holy Spirit, pray and read the Bible more often in order to get through life. If we don't, our relationship with the Heavenly Father suffers and we may find ourselves on the wrong track going further away and not realizing it. Sure, you may still attend church every Sunday or more, but that's not enough. Even doing good things is not enough. Remember Martha and Mary in the Bible? One sister was busy while the other one chose to sit at Jesus' feet and just listen. Sometimes we may think we can make it up some other time or way. But, you can never make up lost time with God. Yet, thankfully for God's wonderful grace, love and mercy, He is very understanding of human weakness.
Yesterday, I was thinking certain things about my relationship with God, and how frustrated I had been lately. Then I asked God a simple and honest question. "Why is it that my flesh seems to resist You, knowing all the wonderful things you've done for me? I find myself sometimes trying to avoid you and that shouldn't be." God didn't hesitate to give me an answer:"You've been feeding your flesh more!" That was short and direct, and I knew it was true. God wasn't talking about food, but the way I had been spending more of my time lately. I had been yielding to the fleshly things and neglecting spiritual things. Furthermore, the flesh will always resist God. (Duh, that should be a no-brainer.)
When we physically and/or spiritually allow ourselves to sit back and take things easier or leave our responsibilities to someone else, it's easy to get off track and miss God's plans. And if we're really foolish, we can completely miss our final destination in Him. I immediately repented and made some changes and got back on track.
