Have you tasted fresh produce, the foods that are picked fresh from vines, pulled up from the ground, or plucked from a branch or bush? Biting into them after a soapy wash has our taste buds dancing happily. At the peak of optimal freshness, eating becomes a priceless gourmet experience.
When we invite the Holy Spirit to be active in our lives, our souls seem to do a happy dance. There is an authentic freshness to our conduct that is unmatched. When God is in our lives, His presence is evident.
When our spiritual experience is lacking, we may find ourselves wishing for what others have. In efforts to stop the restlessness, we copy the traits of those whom we admire. We stretch ourselves to show kindness, overextending to display what we hope is peace. Persevering fervently, we use the most descriptive words we know to convince ourselves that all is well.
When our souls are weary, it exhausts us on many levels. We quickly discover that it is indeed possible to do all the right rituals and symbolisms, yet remain unconnected and nearly foreign to God. There is a depth of surrender that we can only give when our hearts are ready. One that God will never force or coerce from us.
Once the Holy Spirit is given the liberty to work on us, in us, and through us, He gets right to work. Wasting no time, we soon feel and see progress taking root. In record time, we soon produce fruit.
No longer are our souls fatigued. The Holy Spirit will be doing the work in an efficient way that seems effortless. We’re not drained by our own efforts, insisting to do everything on our own because we do not need to rely solely on ourselves.
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by Sabrina Jacques-Rowe
Henderson Highway Church Communications Director
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At the start of each year, the church participates in 10 Days of Prayer. This article explores the 2020 series, “Seeking God’s Spirit”. See other articles in this series here.