Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.

I think everyone has heard the definition of insanity. It’s doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. Now, I firmly believe that the brains of both myself and my children could be studied by a team of scientists to see what is going on up there. My wife, Brittany, seems to be the only one with any sense; however, even that is questionable because she married me. My family and I currently live 7 minutes from the Lincoln Road campus if you drive the speed limit and catch every red light. Every Sunday, my beloved children get up with the chickens. Despite our history together, I am under the impression that we will make it to church on time every Sunday. I like to be early enough to check in my kids, mingle in the atrium, grab a cup of coffee, meander into the sanctuary, find a seat, and WAIT for the service to start. Every Sunday, I am wrong. Typically, a black Chevrolet will come into the parking lot on two wheels around 11:08 and explode children onto the blacktop before sprinting into the church. I am sure the parking team is briefed on us every Sunday morning. Am I insane? Don’t answer that.

At this point in the Book of Galatians, Paul has explained the promise of Abraham to these people. He explains that Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. The Law acted as a guide for us until we could take part in that promise and be freed from its bondage. We are to leave behind our childlike ways of believing and enter into our adopted sonship as we become part of the family of God. In this section, Paul is telling people not to revert to the legalistic principle that they were once slaves to. While our salvation is a gift from God, it brings serious responsibility. God requires us, as believers, to live a holy life because we are children of a holy God and desire to love and worship Him. The rituals, festivals, and ceremonies of the Jewish religious calendar were never required for the Church. Paul warned the Galatians, like the Colossians, about legalism and believing they could earn favor with Him. When we put our faith in Jesus, we are free. We are no longer slaves but sons and daughters. We cannot go back to who we were before. In verse 8, he describes a time “when you did not know God”. Before coming to saving faith in Christ, no unsaved person knows God. Once we’ve made that leap of faith, we enter into the family and have a relationship so that we CAN know God. Don’t search for the things you used to do to fill the void in your life. God has filled that void and is the only one who can do it. Don’t go to those old, dry wells expecting to draw water. There’s only one well that can satisfy.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• Read John 4:14.
  
• What are some dry wells you keep going back to for water?
  
• Prayer: God, help us to leave the past in the past. Let us set our sights on You and You alone. May You permeate our hearts, minds, and our actions with Your Word. Equip us with the tools to resist the things that made us slaves, and help us to rely on You. Your yoke is easy and Your burden is light. May we trust in that truth and turn from the things that trip us up. We love you. Amen.