It’s easy to go through life thinking that we’re average and ordinary, or that we don’t have much to contribute. While it’s easy to think this way, it’s just not true! Think about the ordinary lives of the fishermen, tax collectors, and housewives who first followed Jesus and changed the world. Before He ascended to heaven, Jesus told them to go to an upper room and wait. They weren’t sure what they were waiting for but when the Holy Spirit came, there was no mistaking it. The Spirit takes ordinary men and women and give them the power to live extraordinary lives. You are created for greatness.
Created for Greatness
When God created you, He put a part of Himself in you. When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, we become “…new creations in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The Holy Spirit lives in us and gives us power to extend the kingdom of God (Numbers 27:18, John 14:17). Romans 8:11 says, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” What incredible power this is that the Holy Spirit gives us to love Jesus and live like Him.
In the first 17 verses of Romans 8, Paul says that there is a fight raging in every person between the flesh and the Spirit. A mind set on the flesh is death, but a mind set on the Spirit is life and peace (Romans 8:6). What controls your mind? Solomon chased after all this world has to offer, and his mind was consumed by money, women, intellect, partying, and power. At the end of twelve years of misery, he declares it all vanity. It’s not what he thought it would be. Solomon says, “…here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Living in step with the Spirit means that God guides, leads, and gently corrects us.
In Step with the Spirit
- The Holy Spirit is at home in me.
“…but you are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you” (Romans 8:9). To dwell means to be at home. Either the Spirit is at home in you, or He may be grieved by what you’re doing or meditating on. If you are saved, make sure He is at home in your life. - We can’t follow the Spirit in our own strength.
A common mistake we make is to try and follow Jesus in our own strength rather than relying on the Spirit’s power and guidance. We all have times when we rely on ourselves rather than the Spirit. Have you ever consciously decided to submit to the Holy Spirit? If you’ve never cried out in prayer for the Spirit’s help, it’s a great time to do so. - Living our lives in the power of the Spirit is as easy as walking.
“But I say, walk by the spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). Walking is all about motion. It’s about heading a certain direction one step at a time. It doesn’t just change overnight but as we daily decide to take steps in the Spirit, we find ourselves living a life directed by Him. - Walking by the Spirit is not a one time decision.
We daily “…keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) moment by moment and day by day. When we fail, it’s important to respond the correct way. “For though the righteous fall seven time, they rise again…” (Proverbs 24:16). - The Spirit has the power to change us.
This is one of the most important things to understand about the Spirit. You will not follow the Spirit’s leading in your life unless you believe that He has the power to transform you.
You are destined to do great things and leave your mark on this generation. The truth is, there is nothing average about you. Remember, the Holy Spirit of God is ready to guide you into greatness. Choose to follow!