Joy not of the world.

There is a point where we, as Christians, must lay aside the burdens we have put on our own backs - most of which are actually monkeys - to take up those burdens appropriate to our calling as 'slaves of righteousness'(Rom 6:18). Interestingly, there are a few thoughts on the 'net about the origin of the phrase "monkey on my back" that mostly seem to go toward drug addiction back, at least, to a movie of that title made in 1957 which might imply the common usage even at that time. That definition has evolved to include any habit or personal issue that one has determined one doesn't want but cannot shake. In other words, whether physical or, often in our case, spiritual, an addiction.

So often, we are addicted to our sin and do not see the way out. Our reality is one of worldly thought and desire which overcomes our will to do good. That monkey has gripped our backs so strongly we worry about damage to ourselves (perhaps even the plucking out of an eye or cutting off of a right hand) if we were to tear it from us. Praise God, we have the ability to lay aside those sins (Rom 6). We are like the prisoner who has been locked-up for so long that whether the door is open or not, we stay in the cell. The sinful habits we have the ability to shatter, we hold tightly even as the Spirit weakens their grip and slowly pries them from us (the picture of a greased pig comes to mind - and, yes, we're the pig and our sin which starts out latched to us slowly loses purchase).

I want to loose my sin from me. I pray my thanks that God has made me weak and helpless in the flesh and proven faithful to answer prayer. I pray my God to grant me a desire and avenue to take dominion of creation for Him.

Amen.

Rom 6:16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?