Letting the Spirit Lead

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. ~ Galatians 5:25 NLT

Have you ever read a verse in the Bible many times, and then, suddenly, it grabbed you and wouldn’t let go? Recently, that happened to me with Galatians 5:25.  First, I felt conviction.  I had to confess that I did not let the Holy Spirit lead in every area of my life.  Not that I refused to let him lead in all of them, but rather that I had ignored certain areas. I hadn’t surrendered them yet.

I was convinced that Romans 8:6 was true. “So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” The battle is for our minds.  Refusing to allow the Spirit to align us with God’s plan and purpose for us results in our not changing.  In nature, anything that is not growing is dying.  We need to consciously choose to let the Holy Spirit dominate our thinking so we can be filled with the Spirit, his love, joy and peace, and have his power to grow and overcome the obstacles facing us. 

Then, I was overwhelmed with the thought, “Okay, I want to grow according to God’s plan, but how do I follow the Holy Spirit in every area?”

I wrestled with that question for days, until the thought came. “I want to obey God and he wants me to grow, so I must be making it too hard.”  One of the first verses I memorized was Romans 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

There was that word again, “let”.  Let God transform you.  Just LET the Holy Spirit fill your mind with God’s truth and LET him lead you. God is going to do all the work in every area.  I just need to seek his truth and surrender to him.  So, I began to pray, “Holy Spirit, please lead me in every part of my life. Show me what you want me to surrender.” I felt peace flowing over me. 

I pray for you, that as you choose to let the Holy Spirit lead, and surrender all to Jesus, you will feel more alive in God’s love, peace and pleasure. We don’t need to work harder, but submit more.  The victorious life in Christ is possible as we learn to trust the Holy Spirit to continue to do his work in us.

 Dear friends, be blessed to plug into the power and excitement of allowing the Spirit to lead you!  Be blessed as you grow in trusting that God will continue to do his work in and through you. May you experience more of the joys of being in partnership with Jesus.  May his Kingdom come in every area of your life, so Jesus can use you to transform your environment and bring his Kingdom to surround and follow you wherever you choose to go. Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ June 28, 2022