Does the Holy Spirit have to do this with you?

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Have you ever wondered how the Apostles of Jesus Christ were capable of turning the world upside down with the preaching of the Gospel?

I think part of the reason is that these followers were so committed to Christ and His Commission to the Church that only the Holy Spirit could hold them back!

Literally!

Look at this example from a missionary journey of Paul and Silas:

“Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas,” Acts 16:6-9.

Often today, a believer won’t get off the couch until they have profound direction from God about what to do. Maybe if lightning hits — twice — and in the same spot, they might respond. Otherwise, a great deal of time and opportunity is lost in looking for some specific message from God about where to go or what to do.

But the apostles went about following Jesus differently. They knew Jesus had already given some very clear direction to His followers: “Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age,’” Matthew 28:18-20.

Paul’s approach was to go, and leave the steering to the Holy Spirit! He would go where he thought he should, and if he was headed in the wrong direction, he would trust the Holy Spirit to correct his course. But he wouldn’t wait, he couldn’t wait, the world needed to hear the Gospel!

Paul’s enthusiasm for sharing Jesus Christ with the lost was so great that sometimes the Holy Spirit had to re-direct and contain him!

Does God have to hold you back? Are you so desirous, so committed, so enthusiastic about sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ that sometimes the Holy Spirit has to rein you in or re-direct you?

Or are you still sitting on the couch, asking God for a sign?

Scotty