Daily Journey: Day 200

There’s a Part of Us That Doesn’t Want to Change

Scripture (ESV)
“You stiff-necked people… you always resist the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 7:51

We’ve spent a lot of time talking about formation as something we want. But if we’re going to be honest, there are parts of us that don’t want it at all.

We like growth until God touches something we planned on keeping. Maybe it’s the way we handle conflict. Maybe it’s the need to control what people think about us. Once change becomes costly, resistance starts looking for a reason to stay exactly where it is.

Sometimes resistance is obvious. You know what God is asking and you simply don’t want to do it. Other times we make it sound more sophisticated. We say we need more time to think or another conversation to make sure. Sometimes that’s wisdom. Sometimes we’re hoping somebody will give us permission not to obey.

Stephen calls people stiff-necked because they continually resist the Holy Spirit. That’s severe language, and I don’t think its best use is pointing it at somebody else. It gives us a question to sit with: where does God keep putting His hand on something in me, and why do I keep pulling it away?

That is where this whole movement is headed. Resistance isn’t proof that formation has stopped. It’s often the place where we finally see what formation is up against.

Why this matters
There are places in us that don’t need another explanation. They need surrender. Naming resistance honestly keeps us from turning refusal into something more respectable.

Reflection
Where do you already know what faithfulness requires, but you’re still hoping for another answer?

Word of the Day
Resistance: The inward refusal to yield when God presses against something we want to keep.
“You always resist the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 7:51 (ESV)