Spirit Living
We often get confused in our Christian walk because we are not used to walking in the Spirit. Part of the problem is the world, temptation, the flesh and sin. I would like to speak of another problem though that was brought to my attention through a couple of birds flying through the wintry sky.
These rather big birds were going back and forth over the deep valley holed in between two large-sized hills. They would at times vigorously flap their wings; at other times they would glide in all different directions. We can't identify with them too much because we walk, run or jump. We just don't fly unless it is on the airlines.
Birds know all about living in the air. We can learn so much from them. We find that there is a similarity between the air and the spirit. In fact they are the same word in Hebrew and Greek. One could say Holy Air instead of the Holy Spirit! The King James Bible in fact uses Holy Ghost for the Holy Spirit.
What is it about the birds that we can learn about living in the Spirit?
1) Made for the Sky
They are conscious of the presence of the air. They are dependent upon it for movement. In times past people believed air was a nonentity. We now know it is something that is real even though one cannot see or hold it in ones hand.
The Christian needs to be much more aware of the Presence of the Holy Spirit. They must not think He is there or here. He is always everywhere. He is real. Our lives are dependent upon Him for all real powerful movement. Yes, we realize that birds can walk. They have feet like we. But they are made to fly through the air.
Many times Christians are totally unaware of the Holy Spirit's presence and depend on their fleshy feet. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that our real struggle or strength is not in what we see but what we do not see.
"And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," (Ephesians 6:17,18).
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12).
Our real life starts when we begin living in the Spirit. Just as we would despise a bird that only walked, so we must scoff at the Christian who walks by the old world's order. God has released Him for a greater life, a much more glorious life where we soar rather than walk.
Illustration
If I am consistent about this teaching of the sovereignty and omnipresence of God, then I need to put it into practice. I still need discernment and judgment, but opening my eyes to His shaping of circumstances allows me to see things differently.
Our car has been in the shop for two weeks. It was suppose to be for only 2 days. I could have troubled the repair man. I sensed God wanted me to be patient for He was in charge. I suppose it helped that my car couldn't easily be moved through a drastic oil leak. I was content, though. I spoke several times very patiently to Kathy at the desk and Dave the manager.
We didn't know if we were going to have to junk the car because it was too expensive to fix or that this was the time to trade our car in for a newer one. We have been praying for a good year on this matter. In my soul, I wondered if somehow this would lead to a new (used) car. For the first time in a long time, we did have a little cash.
As we went to pick up the car, my wife noticed a van for sale right in front of the shop. He doesn't usually sell cars. We asked about it. It was just the kind we had been looking for. I mentioned whether he was interested in a trade. He said, "He wasn't thinking about it." I asked again at the end and asked him if he was interested in some kind of deal. He said it had a very good motor. He will get back with me.
I sense this deal will work out. We need to keep praying. I already did a little comparison to see how much I could get for my car. The Lord is able to provide for us if we notice that the world is His workshop. The Lord is my Provider.
Application
Do you believe the Spirit is always present? Are you very Spirit conscious? How steps can you take to get more Spirit-conscious?
2) Learning to navigate
Although I am not a bird, I have watched many a bird flying. How would one describe this act? We are not speaking about the technique of flying. We will touch upon that topic in a moment. We are speaking of the way they get around. They lift their wings and lower their heads. They move their tail and change the contour of the body.
The Christian must also learn to navigate. We rarely see a bird go straight across from one place to another. Many a time a Christian knows what God wants but the way to get there seems a big detour! When responsive to the wind, one can become enmeshed in it. He will perhaps find the warm spots where he gets an extra lift up.
The Christian must learn to walk along with the Spirit. They must learn how to work together. The Spirit might seem against him but is always for him. This confidence always helps him persevere along. Most of us seem more like the kind of a bird that only flies when it has to but then enjoys resting. God would want us to pray always. He wants us to always give thanks. He desires that we would always walk in the Spirit bearing forth the fruit of the Spirit.
Only by going above will we be able to bear forth these fruits. Many prayers are like a rocket. We send them up toward God. Have we not taken thirty minutes, an hour or two hours and spent time with God flying high above and there made our requests know to God? I'm afraid many are afraid to stay above and learn the ins and outs of turning, going up, finding the heat sources, etc. We are much more comfortable in our board meetings with human wisdom.
We should know better. It is in prayer that we see the great acts of the apostles done. Jesus spent all night in prayer before facing many a day. We need to stop thinking that walking in the Spirit describes a momentary experience rather than a perpetual Spirit dependence.
Illustration
Yesterday I sensed rather strongly that I should look at the rebate that I should send in. Too busy. I was busy today too and didn't want to be bothered. I filled out the first and then started on the second. I notice that there was a 20 day period to fill it in. I just made the deadline. I sensed this prodding was from the Holy Spirit. He didn't wait until the last day but starting prompting me a bit earlier. I could have overrun this deeper sense like I did yesterday but figured it might be from God.
Application
What will make you more dependent upon the Spirit of God? Wanting to be there? Able to be there? How is your prayer life? Is it like shooting a gun or gliding like a bird, twisting back and forth in the embrace of the Spirit?
3) The technique of flying
The birds both flap and glide. They know how to expend lots of energy but know how to effortlessly coast along above the shores of the earth. Christians need to know how to do both.
They must be hard workers at time. They must make sure that they are struggling hard, against other spirits. These unseen spiritual forces are both unseen and yet real. We don't see why they have to flap so hard but from experience know some strong wind is countering their movements. This is praying. We know God wants something greater. We pray and pray until we believe. The birds need to fly hard against certain wind currents. This is natural and should be expected. Our greatest strength will be seen in the way we mount up against these contrary winds. God uses these times to test and strengthen us and bring us to a higher level of blessing both to our selves and others.
The birds don't give up. They might have to retreat a bit but only in search for a way through. They seem purposed. They are willing to go nowhere, so it seems to the observer down below and yet they work hard. The Christian is sensitive to his God given burden to direct his life and yet feels the tension that must be fought against to preserve and create it.
Christians also need to know how to glide. The scriptural term for this is 'waiting upon God.' We have done what we have done. Now we wait. Sometimes it is to sit back and see how God will answer our prayers. The waiting is the abiding in the Spirit, knowing full well that He will be doing something. We can trust Him for our needs during this time and find special refreshment close to Him.
While flapping we are engaged, but here in the quiet and still resting on provided momentum, we can gain a much greater perspective of the Lord and His purposes. We can be still and see what God is doing around us. In this we are strengthened in our souls of the Lord's great and marvelous works.
Illustration
We have great difficulty in slowing down to pray and meditate on God's Holy Word. How special it is when He meets us. I don't always have 'great' times, but I usually have good times each morning and afternoon. This morning, I got up early as usual so I could quietly meet the Lord. Even still, one of my sons got up because he was ill. I comforted him and then put him down. I happen to be reading through the Gospel of Matthew. The pastor challenged us all to read through the Bible this year and planning to do that. Then as I read this certain passage, my heart was crushed with awe. I sensed the Lord was so near.
"And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light." (Matthew 17:2).
I couldnt' help but thinking the Lord was so close to me. He wanted me to know more of His glory. I was really humbled in spirit at His great love and glory. Who am I? But I wanted to know Him more and more. I wanted to be there on that mountain. I want to be with Him forever and ever. This experience has shaped all my thinking today. I sing. I pray. I counsel.
It all started with being sensitive to what the Lord wants in my life. I was willing to rudely awaken my sleep so that I could glide. He strengthens me and meets me so that I can patiently live out my day. This was the Lord's grace. Maybe it was a bit special, but then He is the One who has directed me to write this down and wanted me to have something to share from my experience today about living a Spirit filled life.
Application
What parts of your life right now are more active? Which more like waiting? Do you have a tendency to give up on waiting and just do it yourself? What particular areas in your life does the Lord want to grow in? These are probably what He wants to work more in your life.
4) The purpose of flying
Flying has a lot of advantages. One can speak of the great speed they travel, the difficult terrain that can be effortlessly crossed, or the high vantage point from which they gain an eagle's perspective. From high above they can spot a little fish way down in that little stream.
By praying in the Spirit, we also are able to accomplish what man could not do. Remember, it is not us. It is us in the Spirit. The bird doesn't travel by itself. He travels in the Spirit. The wind is his means of travel. We cannot isolate the bird from the air or wind just like we cannot separate the Christian from the Spirit of God.
God has things to accomplish through His people that only can be done when they 'travel' by the Holy Spirit. Anything good or admirable from a Christian's life comes from the time in the Spirit's air. The Christian can love only because he has been close to God or Heaven as Matthew calls God. God is our heavenly Father. He can be drawn close to God only as much as he flies.
People tend to confuse spiritual gifts. They think they are just earthly talents. They don't realize that the impartation of these gifts only really function when soaring and dependent upon the Holy Spirit. A person with the gift of giving will only be able to give in faith when depending on the Spirit. The teacher filled with the Spirit of God is not on the earth but soaring above in God's presence. The Spirit-filled student of God's Word is not confined to some office. He is high above the earth and learning all of God's wonderful principles.
Illustration
As a writer, I feel very inspired at times. By this I mean an idea jumps into my mind. I take no credit for it. In this article, I had lots of things to do. But as I sat in my desk chair and saw the birds flying through the air, the idea for this article filled my mind. The more I thought, the more this analogy seemed very appropriate. As I wrote, step by step each section came to my mind. I sensed this was the Lord helping me in the work He has right now called me to do. I have ignored Him before because of the busyness of other things, but I always find that if I do not do it right away, the chance or inspiration passes. Sometimes during prayer I take notes down. That works too. In a sense I let the Lord dictate my schedule. This sometimes puts me in a 'bind,' but I trust that He will help me out. He will help me in this case too. When I work with Him, it works smoothly. My faith, then, is that He will help others be blessed through this article. This has happened literally hundreds of times. The Lord is my Help.
Application
What is the Lord desire to do through your own life? What spiritual gifts do you have? Do you spend adequate time with the lord to understand His effort in your life?
Summary
There might be some who scoff at spiritual words, thoughts or gifts. They shouldn't. They are as real as the birds that fly among the clouds. What proves the Spirit's presence is the faithful Christians who have learned to pray and abide in Christ. They live in God's presence. Surely like the bird they have earthly needs and must come down to feed. But their glory is the heavens. The spiritual is more important than the feeding. They are willing to fast so that they can stay longer in the air.