"I am caught between the promise, and the things I know" -Sara Groves (Inspired by Exodus 16:3)

"I've been painting pictures of Egypt leaving out what it lacks.
The future feels so hard and I want to go back.
But the places that used to fit me
cannot hold the things I've learned,
and those roads were closed off to me
while my back was turned."



I really enjoy Sara Groves' music and the way she blends all the instruments together: The percussion, guitars, piano, bass, and the rest, to make folksy soft rock sound. She has a fine voice, and sings the way a singer should sing.
She is very talented, and she writes her lyrics with heart. She puts some depth to her words. She also has an excellent ear for melodies. And so she knows how to put thought provoking words with music that is full, and well done.
Her artful talents are a refreshing light within the Body of Christ in a day of, well, not so artful music.

And this song, from her LP, "Conversations", which was released in 2000, is one of 13, of which she wrote all the words and music.

This song spoke to me today, because I have been painting pictures of Egypt, as it were. I fit smack dab right into her lyrics. It doesn't make sense to look back does it. For we have Christ with us, even present at every moment of our lives, and we also have the great assurance that we will be with Him forever when He returns, or calls us home. So why do I struggle? It's nuts really. But it's true.

Here's the Scripture that answers my question: "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." Galatians 5:17

There is an ever present friction within our lives and hearts, which will only depart, when we finally fall asleep for the last time.

However, we are new creations in Christ, and the power of sin has been crushed under our feet, to a greater extent then before we turned to Christ. And so the Scripture tells us: "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Galatians 5:16

Funny that this verse comes before the other verse, don't you think.

So basically Paul is saying, "walk in the Spirit and you will overcome the flesh, because the desire of your flesh keeps you from walking in the Spirit."

In any event, it's a tough road for the Christian for sure. And yet, it's a straight road as well, that we can stay upon by keeping "a lamp to our feet, and a light to our path".

And we can, and will, continue to grow in His grace, as we ask Him for His grace. Jesus said, "Ask and you shall receive." So, when we stumble, and even take a hard fall, remember, His grace and love will never leave us, and nothing in the universe can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Savior and Friend.