One of the ways I like to rest means I have been drinking a lot of coffee in a lot of coffee shops near and further afield from where I live. The exciting thing is not only have I been enjoying great coffee (which is v.imp as a coffee lover), I have also been having some amazing divine appointments with people (that God had already lined up for me).
As I was reflecting on this, after one such appointment, I was reminded of a series of 3 pictures I had about what its like to intentionally live a life led by the Holy Spirit….
I saw a picture of two people about to jump out of a plane together, in a tandem jump. They were sitting with their legs hanging out and the one at the front looked terrified, whilst the one at the back (the instructor) looked incredibly calm and excited about what was going to happen next.
I felt God say that the person at the back was the Holy Spirit and He would be taking charge of the jump and that the person in front need not worry about a thing. Although it might feel scary with your legs dangling out of an aircraft high in the sky that it was going to be worth the jump, although the person in front wouldn’t know this until they had jumped. This is like living life trying to be obedient to what Holy Spirit is asking you to do. You feel the fear when you feel/hear Holy Spirit whisper to you to step out in case you mess up, you get it wrong, you say the wrong thing, you look foolish and other thoughts that come rushing in to stop you stepping out in obedience and making this leap of faith.
The next picture was the two people falling through the air and after a few seconds the person at the front stopped screaming and feels the ‘instructor’ take control of the situation and they started to actually look around and see the beauty and magnificence of what wass all around them in that moment. Suddenly, what was terrifying starts to be fun and a real rush of excitement and endorphins kick in and the screaming is replaced by shrieks of laughter. Just like the moment when you have taken the leap of faith and you lean into Holy Spirit and stop panicking, Holy Spirit takes over and is able to use you to bring about His purposes through you. What was a terrifying thought to begin with is quickly turning into a situation where you are able to bless and love another human being in whatever the situation is, like giving them a hug on a street, offering to buy a stranger a hot drink and a sandwich, giving a word of knowledge to your waiter in a restaurant, encouraging your boss at work, praying for a colleague or whatever it is in that moment of day to day life.
The last of the pictures was the landing. There was a sense of exuberance and excitement. They wondered why they felt afraid and worried in the first place and then asked ‘Can I do it again, it was brilliant?’
The pleasure it gives you as you ‘step out’ of your comfort zone and make the person in front of you feel seen, valued, loved and encouraged makes the fear factor all worthwhile.
Matt 10:8 ‘Freely you have received, freely give’.
As I have stepped out and allowed myself to be led by the Holy Spirit I have the feeling that this is what I was born for and it makes me feel alive. I just want to be able to do it again and again and it has become addictive. It seems I have turned into a fear junkie! I also felt that this adventurous life is for everyone and there is no age or health limitations. All can take part in whatever way they can. Even if it means you buy a coffee and sit in a cafe, and say to Holy Spirit ‘I’m here and I’m available, use me’. He will!
I really want to encourage you wherever you are on your journey ‘to feel the fear and do it anyway!’ Holy Spirit is the best instructor ever and he has got your back.
Happy adventuring!
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