I remember one time, at night, when I was riding with a friend of mine. It was a beautiful night in the Outer Banks and we had this ride we liked to go on that crossed several bridges.
As we came on to the second bridge (about two miles long) my buddy ran out of gas.
I rolled my bike behind him using my headlight to keep him seen, as he pushed his bike for about a mile to the other side.
A motorcycle is heavy!
You discover that rather quickly when it runs out of gas. What was meant to be a vehicle becomes a burden when you have to push it, step after step. It was not meant to be propelled by human effort. It's supposed to have a motor running with the power to cause movement. Disconnect from that power and you are no longer riding.
I was thinking about our discussion at ReFuel last night and about the Holy Spirit. Many times life can feel like we ran out of gas. We are trudging along wondering why everything seems to take so much effort.
Reading in Acts Chapter 1:4-8 (NIV) Jesus is speaking to his disciples after he rose from the dead.
"On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Then they gathered around him and asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"
He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Power. The Christian life cannot be lived without the Holy Spirit. We have a responsibility to obey the Holy Spirit, but we can not do the work of the Holy Spirit. Like riding a motorcycle, we play our part, but we do not cause the forward motion. We do not supply the power.
Are you feeling extra burdened? Could it be that you have tried to take on the role of the Holy Spirit in your life? Or maybe you've tried to do his job in the life of someone close to you?
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:-28-30 (NIV)
Today let's ask the Holy Spirit to help us let go of anything we've been trying to accomplish in our own strength. Next ask him to empower us to do what God has called us to do.
