Today’s Reading
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves…Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5:16, 25 NLT)
I grew up playing soccer and my coach never took us into a game without first taking us through practice. Each practice was tailored to prepare us for the battle ahead. Once we were in games, the coach remained on the sidelines to see how we paid attention in practice and to give guidance when needed. God does this in our lives, and does it perfectly: the Bible is our spiritual playbook from God, the Spirit is the voice in the game reminding us what we learned (John 16:13-15), and God already went before us and won the battle!
Probably the most difficult part about growing in my relationship with God was learning to listen to the Spirit, mainly because I had no idea what the Spirit sounded like so I was waiting to hear what I expected. I realized how much of this struggle was rooted in my level of faith, and my ability to stop talking and start listening to God. I decided to take it to God in prayer and wow, did God answer! I learned on a mission trip last year that the Spirit is the most peaceful and beautiful sound that a heart could ever experience. When I was in so much confusion and chaos, a friend reminded me of the peace and clarity God gave me before the chaos. When you’re in the game, the opponent will try to throw you into confusion and get you to forget your game plan. We like to call that doubt, but God isn’t a God of confusion. He is a God of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). Recalling God’s Word in a storm, and feeling peace when the storm tells you it’s anything but peaceful, is allowing yourself to be guided by the Spirit (Romans 8:14-16). To be guided by the Spirit we need to prepare for the game (read the Bible) and get into the game (where the Spirit works).
Reflection
“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people.” (1Corinthians 14:33) We all go through seasons of mountains and valleys, but sometimes we get stuck in the valleys longer than desired because confusion creeps in and we don’t know which way is up. If you’re currently in a valley, where can you see the peace of God?
We often forget all of what God does for us. We overlook that God prepared a way for us long before we were born, that God is with us now and the He has gone before us victoriously in all future trials we may face. He is deserving of more credit and praise than we can ever give.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You that You do not leave us to walk through this world alone. Thank You for giving us Your Spirit to be in our hearts to speak truth and life into our lives as a reminder of Your goodness. Thank You that doubt and chaos and disorder isn’t of you. God we need You. Please give us the strength to look past the confusion and chaos, and choose to hear and listen to Your peace, guidance and truth. Thank you for blessing us with Your best for our lives. In Jesus’ name; amen.