Acts 13:1-3 | a Long ObedienceSample

Room for the Holy Spirit?

Here’s Acts 13:1-3, “Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”

The Holy Spirit speaks while the prophets and teachers are worshiping and fasting.

Throughout history, people have searched for purpose and for meaning in their lives, only to end up disappointed, because what they desire cannot be completely satisfied by things of this world. There is a certain level of meaning, purpose, and satisfaction that only God can give. A Christian from the fifth century, Augustine of Hippo, puts it this way, “Lord, you have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.”

In the church in Antioch, the Holy Spirit spoke while they were worshiping and fasting. They were submitting themselves to the Lord. Instead of trying to find the key to open up the door to their own life-purpose, they sought God and allowed the Holy Spirit access to their lives. It can be scary to turn over the direction of our lives to God and make our decisions based on his will. But he can be trusted.

Are you struggling to shift from your will to God’s? Let the Holy Spirit into all the rooms of your life.