Our God Will See Us ThroughSample

SPIRIT OF GOD

By Clay Finnesand

In my own faith journey, one thing that typically results in trouble is when self-sufficiency gets the best of me. The tricky thing about self-sufficiency is it can be immensely difficult to even know when we’re caught up in it. I’m not referring to the flagrant pride that says, I don’t need God. I don’t need help. I can do this on my own. I’m referring to the creeping stuff that says, God will help me with what I’m doing. God wants what I want and will give me strength to do it.

Have you found yourself in that place—assuming that God wants the exact same things you do, without regard for the fact that he may want something else entirely?

What if what God wants for us costs something, and (sometimes unintentionally) we make excuses for why that’s not really what he wants?

And yet, what if there’s something far more beautiful—far more like his kingdom here on earth—on the other side of our openhandedness and obedience?

Abraham Lincoln said, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.”

If only it was easy to know what God wants! If only it wasn’t so difficult to know the difference between what he wants and what we want! How do we discern the voice of God—his will and his direction—in our lives?

The apostle Paul wrote about this very thing—how to get better and better at understanding the direction God wants us to take in our lives. He wrote in his letter to Jesus followers in Rome, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT).

He’s telling them: Let God transform you into a new person. It can take time, but he’s rebuilding you. He’s giving you a whole new foundation. If it sounds terrifying to surrender and become a whole new person, remember that God’s good, pleasing, and perfect will awaits.

The Holy Spirit transforms us into new creations. This is a gift of God received by everyone who asks and keeps asking. He will not withhold the Spirit from a person who keeps on seeking. As we’re seeking, God encourages patience. (When we’re used to microwaves, ovens seem like they take forever!) Over time, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we allow God to transform us into followers who can surrender our own will in favor of the better will of our Father.

Whatever it looks like, wherever you lead, Spirit of God, pour out on us.

There really is freedom where the Spirit of the Lord is. Freedom from ourselves—and freedom to see and reflect the glory and goodness of God.