Fashioned for the Ride of Your Life
Most kids have returned to school, and families are back to the school year routine. For those of you who are coffee drinkers, pumpkin spice is back at Starbucks and DD! Fall is here.
While everyone is typically ready for a routine to replace the lazy summer days, that first week of school can shock your system as parents. Lots of papers to sign, schedules to juggle, wash to keep up with, and meals to cook. If you are not careful, you can begin to run on empty, physically and spiritually. Thankfully, you don't have to!
Recently, I purchased a new e-bike, and the Lord brought a few spiritual life principles to mind as I took the bike out for my first ride.
Before riding - Charge the battery – The Holy Spirit wants to fill you up!
To own an e-bike and not charge the battery is not very intelligent. Without charging the battery, you operate the bike on your own power.
To have a relationship with Jesus and NOT spend time with HIM to recharge your spiritual life is living below all that God wants to do in you and through you. King David wrote the words below. Although he was King, he knew where His strength and wisdom came from. Do yourself (and your family) a favor – spend time with Jesus before you spend time with them.
“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning, I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” Psalms 5:2 (NLT)
Use the Pedal Assist – The Holy Spirit wants to help you! Don't do life on your own!
The Holy Spirit is often called an advocate, helper, or counselor in scripture. When riding an e-bike, you can turn off the pedal assist and ride without help. I tried it, and while on a straight path, it was okay, but as soon as there was an incline, I quickly realized what a great feature the pedal-assist is! My peddling became so much easier! All that I had to do was turn it on. In the same way, the Holy Spirit is waiting to partner WITH you as you journey through life. Don't do life alone!
Romans 8:26-27 says:
“Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now, He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
Be open to Shifting Gears when needed – Allow the Holy Spirit to direct your steps.
When pedaling a bike and the terrain changes, shifting gears can increase the stride of the bike, helping you go further faster. We can get fixated on doing or seeing things one way that we fail to see the big picture. The Holy Spirit can help us shift gears. Queen Esther shifted gears after the first dinner with the King and Haman, which gave space and time for the book of history to be read to the King. The truth came to the surface, which saved the Jewish people from annihilation. Step away and shift gears. Your family and friends will thank you!
“Esther replied, "This is my request and deepest wish. If I have found favor with the King, and if it pleases the King to grant my request and do what I ask, please come with Haman tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for you. Then, I will explain what this is all about.” Esther 5:7
Esther 6:1 That night, the King had trouble sleeping, so he ordered an attendant to bring the book of the history of his reign so it could be read to him.
Finally, turn on the THROTTLE and soar!
Always know that It's not about you; Jesus deserves the credit. Riding the bike, approaching a hill, I decided I did not want to face the hill in my strength, so I turned on the throttle and went up with no effort or power. Knowing that I was NOT the one pedaling, it would be ridiculous to take the credit for the accomplishment. It wasn't me; the bike did all the work. In the same way, none of us are the star of the show. It's the Holy Spirit working through you.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
This Fall season, acknowledge the Holy Spirit and invite Him into your day-to-day life.
What a ride you will have!
Liz
