I fight so often against the urges of the flesh. When I know that some particular temptation will be strong, or that it will be a difficult week filled with potential pitfalls, I try to ‘steel up my strength’ and get ready to ward off any intrusion to my devotion to Christ. Such was my thinking this morning when I read, “Only by a stronger passion can evil passions be expelled, and…a soul unoccupied by a positive devotion is sure to be occupied by spiritual demons…When Ulysses passed the isle of Sirens, he has himself tied to the mast and had his ears stopped with wax, that he might no t hear the sirens singing – a picture of many a man’s pitiful attempts after negative goodness. But when Orpheus passed the Isle of Sirens, he sat on the deck, indifferent, for he too was a musician and could make melody so much more beautiful than the sirens, that their alluring songs were to him discords.”

Once again my Lord has brought me to attention. I had not been faithful recently with spending daily time in His presence; if I had been, I would have been much more relaxed to begin this day, and probably have slept better in recent nights as well. Paul had it right, “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”The Holy Spirit is waiting to fill my mind, but I must give Him the opportunity to do so. Much like putting gas in my car, the gas is ready to flow into the tank, but I must connect the hose and my tank. So it is up to me to connect with the Spirit. Lord, make me diligent in doing so.