Moving Sidewalk

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you — they are full of the Spirit and life.”
-John 6:63-

My family and I flew into the Atlanta airport one time on a vacation trip to Florida. (By the way, I believe you are going to have to go through Atlanta to get to heaven some day!) After landing, we grabbed our bags and began the long hike to our connecting gate. When we travel, my wife and I split the luggage responsibilities: One of us packs lots of stuff, and one of us carries it everywhere. That’s how we have worked it out. So, I’m carrying about a half dozen bags through the airport. They’re hanging all over me. It’s just a moving pile of bags with my head sticking out the top. We turn to go down a hallway that is about 100 yards. My wife & kids all get on a moving sidewalk. But carrying my wide load, I’m not able to navigate the turn and I miss my on-ramp. I wish you could have seen what it looked like from my perspective. They set their few bags they have on the moving sidewalk and just stand there watching me. I’m sweating like, well, like a man carrying a half dozen suitcases through an airport. I’m trying to keep up with the pace. We end up arriving at the end of the sidewalk at about the same time, but there’s a difference. I’m frustrated, exhausted, and annoyed, and they are ready to keep moving on.
That’s what our lives look like when we try the self-empowered hike instead of the Spirit-filled walkway. You can try to play the role of the Holy Spirit, but trying to be God has a tendency to wear you out.
Jesus knew that would happen. So, He promised to give us an an advocate to help us and be with us (see John 14:15-17). His Spirit teaches us, gives us life, guides us into truth, convicts us of sin, and reminds us of what Jesus said. He gives powerful gifts that we could never manufacture on our own. And He always, always points us to Jesus.

Pursuing Today
Do a quick search with your Bible app or an online Bible version (or a good, old-fashioned concordance) for the word SPIRIT. Look up several of the first verses that come up. Using short phrases — 2 or 3 words — write down several observations about the activities of God’s Spirit. What are some ways you have experienced that active presence in your own life as you pursue Him?