August 16, 2019
Acts 13:13-15
From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”
CONSIDER THIS
In the work of the Kingdom through the ministry of the Holy Spirit we must not force our way. Way will be made for us.
This seems to be what is happening on this journey with Paul and company. Our responsibility is to be responsive to the Holy Spirit. In this case, it was to go to Pisidian Antioch, go to the synagogue and sit down. They merely had to get themselves to the right place. The Holy Spirit did the rest. Note that Paul did not send word to the leaders of the synagogue that he had “a word” for them. Precisely the opposite happened. They sent word to Paul asking if he had a “word” and if he would share it. Paul and Co. did not open the door. The door was opened for them. They only needed to be present and responsive.
I must confess my own tendency to add to the task of “responsiveness” my own sense of additional responsibilities. I so often feel the need to develop strategies and objectives and plans and outcomes and metrics, and on it goes. I want to build structure and ask the Spirit to work within that. I think my problem is that deep down I really think, “How would we ever get anything done if all we did was trust in the guidance of the Holy Spirit?!”
There, I said it.
Maybe the bigger question is this one, “How will we ever know if we don’t?”
Bob Tuttle, a retired seminary professor, is reported to have once said to his class on the first day of the semester, “Most of you are smart enough to succeed in the business of the Church without the Holy Spirit, BUT YOU WILL NEVER SUCCEED IN MINISTRY WITHOUT TOTAL DEPENDENCE UPON THE HOLY SPIRIT!” #BOOMGOESTHEDYNAMITE!
THE PRAYER
COME HOLY SPIRIT!
THE QUESTION
Do you tend to want to make a way for the work of the Holy Spirit or have you learned to follow the Spirit’s guidance and wait on the Holy Spirit to make a way for his work within and through you?
For the Awakening,
J.D. Walt
Sower-in-Chief
seedbed.com
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