There are only two ways to operate in this world. You can try to do things yourself, to the best of your ability. Or you can align yourself with God’s Spirit and let Him lead you, empower you, and flow through you. There are no other options and we need none.
The first means produces merely humanistic results. In fact, Jesus said it produces nothing of value. Nothing that matters or lasts. When explaining how we must abide in Him and He in us he said, “Apart from Me, you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5).
THE BETTER WAY
There is another way, however. It is the way we were designed to operate as God’s creation. It is the pathway designed for us individually and also for the church collectively. This is modeled for us beautifully with some of the first disciples in Acts 13.
While they (the church leaders) were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God. (Acts 13:3-5, parenthesis added)
These humble believers had discovered how to experience the supernatural.
This pattern of living by God-initiation is not complicated and is available for all who are willing to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His lead. Those who understand God’s agenda will find themselves being used beyond their wildest imaginations and will discover the path to the greatest usefulness and highest joy! The alternative is a frustrating, fruitless, and joyless existence.
Father, thank You for the simplicity of Your plan. Thank You for creating us in such a way that we can be, in spite of our sin, forgiven and reunited with You through the Spirit who comes to live in us and through us. Lord, help me to hear You today and to follow Your prompting and leadership. And Lord, bear fruit for Your glory through me today!
As a pastor for the last 55 years, I have had the joy of being encouraged and blessed and prayed for by so many people. It is what carries you in your task of shepherding people. As I look back over five decades of ministry, their love has dramatically enriched my life.
But also, a pastor leads. And when anyone leads, there are almost always some who disagree.
