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Wait for the promised Holy Spirit

September 23, 2024
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Daily Scripture

Acts 1:1-8

1 Theophilus, the first scroll I wrote concerned everything Jesus did and taught from the beginning, 2 right up to the day when he was taken up into heaven. Before he was taken up, working in the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus instructed the apostles he had chosen. 3 After his suffering, he showed them that he was alive with many convincing proofs. He appeared to them over a period of forty days, speaking to them about God’s kingdom. 4 While they were eating together, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for what the Father had promised. He said, “This is what you heard from me: 5 John baptized with water, but in only a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
6 As a result, those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?”
7 Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Daily Reflection & Prayer

Acts “is all about what Jesus is continuing to do and to teach…. [Jesus] is announced as King and Lord, not as an increasingly distant memory but as a living and powerful reality, a person who can be known and loved, obeyed and followed, a person who continues to act within the real world.” * These eight verses said three times that the way his followers would experience the living, powerful reality of the risen Jesus was through the impact of the Holy Spirit.

  • Acts 1:4-5 highlighted Jesus’ instruction to wait for the Holy Spirit’s arrival. We Americans are often impatient and driven—we don’t like the word “wait.” Is there an area you feel in a hurry, eager to do God’s work on your own, without God’s power? How could “going it alone” hinder, not advance, God’s mission? Hinder your spiritual growth?
  • In verse 7, Jesus said God’s authority (which Jesus shared—cf. e.g. Mark 1:22, Luke 5:24), not us, sets the “times or seasons” (the “when” we wonder about). God would give them power (Greek dunamis, root of “dynamite”) in the presence of the Holy Spirit (hence the “wait” in verse 4). Jesus sent them (and us) to “the end of the earth” as witnesses to his kingship. In Emil Brunner’s words, “The church exists by mission as fire exists by burning.” ** In what ways are you gifted to join in the church’s God-given mission?
Prayer

Loving Lord, as you called your first followers to an urgent, world-changing mission, you first said, “Wait.” Help me to work with you, not ahead of you, in building your eternal kingdom on earth. Amen.

GPS Insights

Picture of Mindy LaHood

Mindy LaHood

Mindy LaHood serves as a Worship Experience Specialist at The Church of the Resurrection. She loves all things related to worship and enjoys working with our talented team of staff and volunteers. One of her favorite things to read about and study are stained glass windows, and she considers herself very blessed to work and worship in a place with such a magnificent window.

 

In a world that celebrates productivity, efficiency, and self-reliance, it’s easy to lose sight of the Holy Spirit’s gentle promptings. I’ve always been driven, disciplined, and focused on achieving the highest quality in everything I do, but I’ve recently started to learn about the power of waiting, watching, and listening for the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This has challenged my fundamental understanding of control, self-worth, and my true source of strength.

I’ve been wired for action for as long as I can remember. Patience has never been my strong suit. Trust often feels like a foreign concept. Letting go of control? I fight that battle daily. These traits, often praised in our fast-paced society, have created an interesting tension in my spiritual life.

As I read my Bible, I’m struck by how often patience, waiting, trusting, and surrendering are elevated above the drive and discipline I’ve always valued. This has led me to question the very foundation of how I approach life and my relationship with God. Being naturally driven and disciplined creates a false sense of self-sufficiency. For years, I’ve operated under the belief that I can handle most of life’s challenges on my own. I’ve convinced myself that it’s not only easier to do things myself but that the results are invariably better when I’m in control.

God has been gently showing me a different approach–one that involves surrendering control and acknowledging my dependence on Him. In my misguided pursuit of self-reliance, I’ve often pushed the Holy Spirit to the sidelines, forgetting that He dwells within me and is my ultimate source of strength and guidance. More and more, I’m learning to genuinely say, “Not my will, but Yours be done,” and to truly mean it. This challenges my ingrained habits, but also opens my eyes to the profound peace that comes from aligning my desires with God’s will.

Another downfall of this driven nature is the tendency to tie my self-worth to my accomplishments. When faced with situations beyond my control or abilities, I grapple with feelings of inadequacy and questioning my value. I’ve inadvertently equated my worth with what I can do and achieve, rather than recognizing my inherent value as a child of God. This is a profound lesson God is currently teaching me. I didn’t explicitly pray for patience (who does?), but I have been seeking God’s guidance on freedom and letting go. Little did I know that this journey would lead me to a deeper understanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in my life.

In the midst of God’s gentle instruction, I’m discovering the transformative power of waiting on the Holy Spirit. Practicing patience and attentiveness is reshaping how I approach every aspect of my life. Instead of rushing ahead with my own plans and ideas, I’m learning to pause and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. This often means delaying action until I have a clear sense of God’s direction. I’m becoming more observant of the subtle ways the Holy Spirit moves in my life and the lives of those around me. This heightened awareness helps me recognize divine appointments and opportunities I might have missed. In a noisy, distracting world, I’m cultivating the ability to quiet my mind and heart to hear the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit.

Make no mistake–this process of surrendering to the Holy Spirit is not easy. Our world is often at odds with the gentle promptings of God’s Spirit. I find myself having to surrender multiple times a day, constantly reorienting myself to the Holy Spirit’s leading. But the more I practice this surrender, the more attuned I become to the Holy Spirit’s voice. It’s as if my spiritual senses are being sharpened, allowing me to pick up on subtle nudges and impressions that I previously would have missed or dismissed.

As I’ve learned to wait on the Holy Spirit, I’ve noticed several positive changes in my life. I’m more aware of the needs of those around me, often sensing when someone needs encouragement or support. Instead of trying to navigate life solely on my own strength, I’m learning to rely on God’s guidance and power. The Holy Spirit often gives words and meaning to my prayers, especially in moments when I struggle to articulate my thoughts and feelings. As I release control to the Holy Spirit, I experience a deeper sense of peace and trust in God’s plan for my life. My newfound patience and sensitivity have positively impacted my interactions with others, leading to deeper and more meaningful connections.

This journey of learning to wait, watch, and listen for the Holy Spirit has been both challenging and rewarding. It’s forcing me to confront my tendencies towards self-reliance and control while opening my eyes to the incredible power and wisdom available to me through the Holy Spirit.

If, like me, you struggle with patience, trust, and letting go, I encourage you to embark on the journey of surrendering to the Holy Spirit. It’s not always easy. It often goes against your natural inclinations, but the rewards are immeasurable. As we learn to wait, watch, and listen, may we all experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, guiding us toward a deeper relationship with God and a more fulfilling life of purpose and peace.

Note: Since we began this series, I’ve been listening to one of my favorite songs by Keith and Kristyn Getty. It’s not really a song about the Holy Spirit, but more a prayer to the Holy Spirit. Here’s a YouTube link to the song with the lyrics. Maybe you’ll adopt it as your prayer too.

© 2024 Resurrection: A United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References

* Wright, N.T., Acts for Everyone, Part One: Chapters 1-12 (The New Testament for Everyone) (p. 2). Westminster John Knox Press. Kindle Edition.
** Emil Brunner (1889-1966), The Word and the World, London: SCM Press, 1931, p. 11.