Scripture
Our verse for today comes from Acts 8:16, “(This was because the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)”
Background
Remember what it was like when we began to remove restrictions that had been in place as a result of the coronavirus. In the first phase, many businesses were allowed to once again operate, the stay-at-home order was loosened to allow folks to leave their homes, parks opened back up many of their areas, and worship services began meeting outside provided they practiced “social distancing”. As noted, this step was the first of three transitions that covered several weeks, and contingent upon certain health numbers trending in the right direction. Things were still far from normal, and went a bit clunky for a time as people and businesses tried to function among one another again while adjusting to all the changes. And truly, wasn’t that what transitions were all about, dealing with the awkwardness and unfamiliarity of going from one condition to another? You were not doing things as you used to, and nothing was quite like it was supposed to be, so there was this middle state between what was and what will be. In trivial ways, women suffer through this when they decide to let their hair grow out. In dramatic ways, they suffer through it during menopause. We go through it when we change jobs, move residences, have a child, lose a parent, and so on. And our Christian life has transitions, too. The most dramatic occurs immediately following conversion, when we might be in the process of leaving behind certain behaviors and beginning to adopt others.
Application
But there are other, more subtle transitions that can happen in our spiritual walk which can affect us without our realizing it. Things that we intended to be temporary can linger and be detrimental. Adjustments to our routines and commitments squeeze out the eternal for the temporal. An issue that we’re dealing with can make certain thoughts and actions seem justified when they would otherwise not. And if we are not diligent in our time with Jesus and open to the working of His Spirit, the transitions can take hold and the result is not God-focused and Christ-honoring. If you know firsthand one of these transitions, repent and return to what is your true way of life.
Charge
As we seek Him today, make the adjustment as the Spirit prompts you and transition your way to joy and peace.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
Distributed by – BCWorldview.org
Editor Comment: This devotional reminds us that even good, necessary changes can create subtle spiritual drift if we aren't watchful for the Spirit's leading.