On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
Acts 1:4
I once ended up in a two hour traffic jam on a narrow road with no option of turning back because I was trying to avoid a thirty minute traffic jam on an express road. The problem was that everyone, just like me, was trying to avoid the same traffic because nobody really likes to wait.
In Acts 1:4, however, Jesus tells his disciples not to rush into ministry but to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. Waiting for what you know and having a timeline about it is hard. Imagine how hard it would be waiting for what you don’t know and without a definite wait time.
Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus had promised to send the Holy Spirit to His followers. In John 14:16, He assured them, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.” This promise wasn’t fulfilled until the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples with power and authority.
But why the wait? Was it worth it after all? Without the Spirit’s empowering presence, our efforts to serve God and fulfil His purposes will fall short, become stressful and we will become worn out. We may have good intentions and noble aspirations, but without the Spirit’s guidance and strength, we will lack the spiritual power necessary to bring about lasting change in this wicked world.
As believers, we must cultivate a posture of waiting and dependence on the Holy Spirit in our lives. This means acknowledging our need for His guidance, wisdom, and empowerment in every aspect of our journey with Christ. We must make it a priority to seek His filling daily, through prayer, meditation on God’s Word, and surrendering our lives to His leading.
When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are equipped to live the abundant life that God desires for us. We are empowered to bear fruit, walk in obedience, and be effective witnesses for Christ in our spheres of influence. So I encourage you today, don’t make another move in the flesh alone. Seek first to be filled with the Spirit and your christian walk will never be the same again.
Lord, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who empowers me to live as your faithful disciple. Help me to wait patiently for the fullness of your Spirit in my life. I know that without Him, I can do nothing. Fill me afresh with your Spirit today. Help me to walk in obedience, to bear fruit, and be an effective witness for your kingdom. In Jesus’ name.
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