Living in such a beautiful city as we do, it’s quite common to see tourists. Sometimes they’re on their own, with maps and guidebooks in hand trying to read, walk, and look about all at the same time. Most of the time, these people look confused, yet determined. We tend to feel a bit sorry for them. We also see those who have decided that this is not the time or place to ‘do it yourself.’ There’s just too much history – Revolutionary War; Antebellum; Civil War; Civil Rights. They prefer to be guided through the city by someone who knows the big picture. These people usually have smiles on their faces and wave to us as they go by.

In a sense, the unspoken words of the tour guide are: Follow me and I’ll show you some neat things. To follow them or to venture out on your own is your choice. I am convinced that the walk in the Spirit is similar in many ways. I choose to walk in the Spirit and follow where He leads. So what does that mean? It means that every time my flesh wants to walk in one direction, I choose instead to submit to the will of God and walk in His. As I’m walking in His will, I will complete the purpose He has for me. For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

Many people believe that when we walk in the Spirit, it means that we lose control. But the Bible never teaches that. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:32 that the “spirit of the prophets are subject to the prophets,” in other words, the control of their will is never lost. They choose to allow the Holy Spirit to lead them, and they can at any time break away from His leading.

Another element to walking in the Spirit is found in the act of picking up our cross daily and following the path that Jesus leads. In order to do this, we must deny ourselves – our will; our plans; our ‘map.’ As you look at a cross there are two beams that intersect each other. One beam represents our will and the other represents the will of God. So walking in the Spirit involves the collision of our will and the will of God. So how do I yield to the will of God? The answer is found in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus surrendered His Will to the Father, “never the less not My will be done but Yours.” Many times we understand the term ‘pick up your cross’ to mean some type of horrible burden that we alone can bear. But consider that Jesus is simply saying that we are in subjection to travel a path not of our choosing. Certainly no man who was being lead by the Roman executioner and who was carrying his cross was going to his death because he wanted to. Jesus, however, invites us to pick up our cross and deny ourselves (our fleshly desires) and to follow Him joyfully. Hebrews 12:2 says “…for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross. . .”

The Christian walk is not intended to be a venture out on our own. Instead, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us, and to lead us. Let Jesus be your Joy, and as you do you’ll find yourself empowered to walk in the Spirit.

In Jesus Name
Pastor Dan