Monday, May 14
Following the Holy Spirit
Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.
Acts was written by the same author as the gospel of Luke -- a continuation of Jesus' story after his ascension. In this introduction, Luke points out the promise made by Jesus, that the Holy Spirit would soon come as their advocate. It is fitting that the apostles' ministry begins with a baptism with the Holy Spirit. God's Holy Spirit was present at the beginning of creation. God's Holy Spirit was present at the beginning of Jesus' ministry. It is fitting that the Holy Spirit would make her presence known at the beginning of the apostles' ministry. I wonder... might the Holy Spirit be present at the beginning of our ministries? (Rhetorical question.)
People sometimes ask me how I knew I would be successful, leaving a full-time job in ministry to pursue a career as an independent publisher. I had no products, no customers, and no income. But I knew I would make it, not because I asked the Holy Spirit to follow me into this venture, but because I followed the Holy Spirit into it. All along the journey, I watched for signs that the Holy Spirit was guiding me. I took risks based on the movement of the Spirit (along with wisdom, experience, and trepidation). For whatever reason, the Holy Spirit believed I had wisdom to share, words to speak, and resources to provide. Now I own a publishing company with hundreds of customers, several staff, and resources that no one else is producing.
If you are considering a major life shift, I encourage you to follow the Holy Spirit. Look for signs that the Spirit is guiding you. Be open and be willing to be wrong. Be ready to do things you never thought possible. For God's Holy Spirit, nothing is impossible. Look out, world, here you go!
Narrative Lectionary Text: Acts 1:1-5
In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”