Replacing Rocks with Sand

My family used to own a tiny beach house right on the sand in Dana Point. I remember that house having such a familiar and peaceful feeling. However, there was one aspect of that house location that was completely unpredictable…the tide.

Sometimes the waves would get so huge on that little strip of homes that they would wash right up into people’s back yards. I remember one stormy night where we found out the waves had washed up into our little vacation home. Since this part of the beach is particularly rocky, there was rock and water damage all over the home.

Rocks can be damaging, just like Pastor Jason’s illustration of our fleshly desires. They can bring destruction, pain, and hurt. They can do more damage than we even realize in the moment. We get caught up in what feels right, good, even justified! And after the high of being “right” and doing what feels good wears off, we experience the loss and heartache it caused. We look around and realize “Wow, what a mess;” just like it felt walking around that house full of sand and rocks.

Pastor Jason encouraged us to view this passage from the lens of what the Galatians were personally struggling with: dissension and strife—and then to go one step further…and imagine the letter that would be written personally to us.

What would your letter say?

What personal sin struggles would be brought to light?

What hidden thoughts would God expose?

While many of the works of the flesh tugged at my heart this Sunday, the one I identified with the most was jealousy.

“But God, what if what I want is a godly desire? What if it’s what you intended for my life? I don’t want to take it from anyone else, I just want it for me!”

I could feel my flesh trying to justify the way life was so unfair as the Spirit whispered “Time to forgive, time to let it go, time to be content…”

Coming to God with our fleshly struggles shouldn’t be a wrestling match. As we come to Him and admit, embarrassingly, but freely what we struggle with, we build a bond of trust with a God who offers nothing but open arms.

At the end of the service, we had time to confess, and oh how my heart needed that confession. Have you confessed what God is working on in you? When you think of the letter Paul would have written to you…would you receive it in humility? Or would you tear it up and throw it away in a huff?

Don’t let your flesh win today. Invite God’s Spirit to work in your life to release and come to Him as He always intended…like a little kid running into Dad’s arms. You are safe there. You are wanted there. It’s time to let go.

Erika Pizzo

Erika is the author of the blog yourtemplecare.com where she encourages women to care for their mind, body, and spirit as they grow closer to Jesus. She also hosts the podcast “Temple Care” where she provides weekly messages of encouragement. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach with a chai latte in hand.