The Advocate

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

What makes it difficult to follow the Holy Spirit?  I believe there are three reasons that impede our abandonment to Him.

1) We are fearful.  How many times do we read in scripture, “Do Not Be Afraid”? It’s true the Holy Spirit will challenge us to come out from under the covers and leave our comfort zone.  It’s not because He likes to see us sweat, it’s because He desires to bless us, to build us up, and to use us. 

2) We don’t like to Wait.  So often we are ready, willing and able to go forward, but the Holy Spirit will tell us to “Wait”.  This really annoys us, because we don’t understand why, when we feel ready, but we have to remember that only God sees the big picture, and He is all about the right timing to work everything for good.  We need to learn to wait on Him.

3) We rationalize everything.  If something doesn’t make sense to us, or we can’t figure it out in our heads, then we don’t want to follow His leading.  It just doesn’t make sense!  And it might not make sense to those closest to us, and this is can be a challenge.   We need prayer here, but we also need confirmation.  If it’s of Holy Spirit, He will give it, but sometimes we just have to go out on a limb!

Following the Holy Spirit is the key to living an abundant life.  It isn’t always easy, but Jesus wants us to trust him with child-like faith and believing that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:16)