Mark Sorensen I’m preparing to launch a new series soon in the Harvest on the Holy Spirit. I’m pretty excited about it. Of course, I say, “excited”. To be fair, I must also throw in a pinch of “terrified”. Seriously. Do we really understand that, with the Spirit at work in our lives, there’s real power that comes as a result of plugging into the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us? I’m already praying that God would open our eyes to some pretty big truths that come in better understanding the Holy Spirit and the Spirit’s work in our lives.
In preparing for this series, I came across a poem (of sorts) that I wanted to pass along to you. I loved it. In seeing the Holy Spirit at work, there must be a willingness to let go and let the Holy Spirit move.
I watched it uncertain- afraid to let go. It struggled to hold on, fluttering to and fro. The leaf held on with all its might. To the tree it held tight and all the while the wind softly caressed it and encouraged it… to fly. But it resisted the pull. It was safe where it was. Who knew where the wind would blow? And all the while, the wind warmly caressed it and encouraged it to fly.
One day it did. Tired of holding on, it let go and prepared to flutter down to the dirt below where it thought it would die. But the wind that had gently plucked it from the tree tucked it under its arm and took it high, far higher than ever it had dreamed it could go. Once it was tied to the tree but now it was free on the breeze.
Lord, I wish I was that leaf. I wish I could trust you completely, to know you hold me- and sense your peace. But, I’m afraid Lord, afraid to let go. I fear the future; where I might go; what if I fail? What will letting go entail?
Lord?
My child, trust in my Spirit, the Breeze. His love for you is what sets you free. He says that he’ll change you, but love is his mould. He promises to hold you, but tight is his fold. He promises to use you, but it’s all in his love. You’ll fly- but remember your teacher’s a dove.
[1. K. Warrington, God and Us. A Life-Changing Adventure (Scripture Union, 2004), pp. 101-102]
There’s the real problem, right? To let the Holy Spirit move involves subjecting ourselves to a certain element of risk. It’s stepping out of the boat and walking on the water trusting that, if Jesus has called us, He’s gonna get us there safely.
I can’t shake the words of Jesus in Acts 1:8 when He said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”. Are we living lives that show the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us?
Ready to jump into this one and see what God has in store.
