Our culture is fascinated with new technology and the potential
it brings to make life more effective and seamless. Over the last month, we have heard a lot of
tech talk about the new iPhone 6 being released this week. When Apple released the new iPhone, the owners
of older iPhone models reaped the benefits of the upgrade also. They got the
opportunity to update their current operating system. People usually fall into one of two
categories when it comes to their attitude about these updates:
1.
Apprehension and resistance. You don’t like change and tend to get
frustrated when things don’t run smoothly from the get-go. You like consistency and knowing what to
expect. Even if there is potential for something better, the risk of the
unknown is a turn off. You often say, “What’s wrong with the current
system? I don’t need to improve it. I like it just fine.”
2.
Anticipation and eagerness. You can’t wait for the better operating
system. You actively search out information about what’s coming and how it can
benefit your life. As soon as you hear
about the updates, you are already envisioning how this tweak will make your
life better. You embrace change and can’t wait to share the cool things in the
update with your closest 100 friends.
We often view the work of the Holy Spirit in the same way.
One of His roles in our lives is to sanctify us. That’s just a fancy word for
making us more like Christ. Like our iPhones, the Holy Spirit’s work in us is
performing an operating system update. How
we approach His work determines how receptive we are to His leading and
guidance. Are we resistant to change or
are we eager for it? Are we apprehensive
about making the necessary tweaks He is calling us to make or do we approach
these changes with eagerness and anticipation for the results they can produce?
God loves us. Unconditionally. His love for us never
changes. There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more. However, how
effective we are in this life is determined by how much we allow the Holy
Spirit the freedom to operate through us. It’s through the sanctifying work of
His Spirit that we are made new. Embrace
His guidance. Search out His will with eagerness and anticipation for the great
work He will perform through you.
