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In seeking to follow the Spirit, we learn that such a path is attended with subtle difficulties. Following the Spirit might sound easy, until we try to do it. The Spirit does not give us a blueprint. That is part of the challenge. Spirit just says, “Follow me. Let’s go.” Then, we think, “Hey, where are we going?” Spirit just looks and says, uncompromisingly, “Come on! Don’t ask questions.” And, then, we begin working with uncertainty, lack of clarity, and patience. In following Spirit we sometimes have to make decisions on the best evidence. Sometimes we make mistakes, and have to get up and start again. Believe me, I have had to dust off my pants many times and begin again. Following the Spirit can be very challenging. But, remember, it is a lot of fun, too! In fact, at least for me, the fun increases with time.
Now, what are some of the challenges in following the Spirit? I will use points made by Joseph Jaworski, Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership and his list of traps in living a life based on synchronicity. Let us think of synchronicity, for our purposes today, as the leading of the Spirit.
First, the trap of responsibility. Here, we assume too much responsibility. We begin to try too hard; we are working so hard at planning and doing what we feel is the Will of God that we have quit following the Spirit. We think we are being diligent and end the day exhausted and proud of it, but we may have forgotten that our effort is not the essential aspect of the Work.
Second, the trap of dependency. Here, we feel so reliant on other persons supporting the goals and us, too, that we are not truthful and authentic. We are afraid of losing the support emotionally, financially, or in another way. We are not focused on the Spirit and Its leading, for are focused on felt need of agreement from other persons. The Spirit has been forgotten, as we move on. Of course, the Spirit is waiting for us to wake up and realize, “Hey, I have completely forgotten to follow the Spirit, Whom I committed to live in harmony with. I have traded loyalty to the Spirit guiding and providing to loyalty to other persons guiding and providing.”
Third, the trap of overactivity. In overactivity, either from enthusiasm or anxiety, or both, we stop listening prayerfully to the Spirit. The Spirit does not have space to work. Our ego feels good about all we are doing. We might be filling up our lack of self-esteem by thinking we are impressing God or other persons with our goodness and diligence. Even a church can be a busy place and be fully out of sync with the Holy Spirit. Right? Much activity does not indicate we are following the Spirit.
Galatians 5.25 reads, “If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives (NLT).” To do this as persons and community, we have to keep prayerfully in fellowship with God, remembering the work of the Spirit is not all up to us; give God room to keep working; not allow loyalty to other persons to lead us to rely on them to the extent of compromising what the Spirit is seeking to do; allow plenty of time to pray and, thus, remain sensitive to the Spirit leading. Remember, to follow the Spirit means to follow the Spirit, not have the Spirit follow us.
I have found that it is impossible to follow the Spirit without a consistent and daily life of prayer and devotion. Beginning your day in fellowship with Christ sensitizes you to the Spirit and opens you to say, “Okay, here I am, I pray for whatever you have me to do today. Make it happen, through me. Amen.”
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