I recall being pregnant with our first child: the joy, the anticipation, the excitation.
I was ecstatic! I couldn’t wait to meet that child! I would daydream of all the places we’d take her and all the things our little family would do together. I imagined how wonderful life would be- even though I knew nothing of parenting.
In Acts 1:4-5 we read of the disciples waiting on Jesus’ promise of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This Holy Spirit would empower them to be of even greater witness. I wonder how excited they were? Did they too daydream of what might be? Did they try to comprehend the wonder of it all?
When we first delve into Scripture and realize that the Holy Spirit is a gift, an advocate, and a teacher (to name a few roles), we too become excited. But as we settle into a basic life with rote routines, we can inhibit the Spirit. We aren’t listening for His leading, we aren’t watching for His wisdom, and we aren’t waiting for His wonder. And the Holy Spirit is not rogue- He’s a gentleman. He won’t push in and make us do things we don’t want to do. So, He patiently waits while we go about life, cheating ourselves without even realizing it.
When life is going alone well, we may not even think of the need to surrender to the Spirit. We might reserve that attitude when we catch ourselves in sin, or a tragedy has happened and we really need a miracle. But, we are again, cheating ourselves.
Jesus came to give us eternal life and an abundant life now. And part of that abundance is living in step with an advocate for us: The Holy Spirit. We say we want to lead spirit-filled lives, but do we really want to surrender the plans for the next year, week or even the next minute?
What if we chose to live with great expectation of seeing where the Spirit would guide us? What if we anxiously awaited His arrival and guidance the way we wait with great expectation over a new child? What if everything He did and said was met with great applause, and we willingly jumped at His whim? How might our lives look then?
We can ask Him for help with how we do daily life. Recall the promise: “And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 (NIV)
He will help us yield if we ask for His assistance. He is awaiting our invitation. Will you join me in prayer for just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for the gifts He brings to me. Lord, please forgive me for my nonchalance towards His presence. Help me follow His leading, the leading that will draw me closer to You. Thank You for patiently waiting for me to realize Your love, in Jesus’ name, Amen.