We just returned from vacation with our daughter, her husband, and their five boys. The youngest two of her five are energetic, identical twins. One of our flights was delayed for hours… I mean HOURS! How do you entertain 3-year-old twins in an airport for hours? After we found a quieter section of the airport we just let the twins run. In their running, they discovered the moving walkways. It was as if they were at Disney World. They loved those moving walkways! They went backward and forwards on them for hours. If I had gotten a video, I would include it! Two little red-heads, running up and down the moving walkways was pretty entertaining. The moving walkway empowered them in their journey. Similarly, it is the Holy Spirit who empowers our spiritual journeys with Christ. 

In Romans 8, the Apostle Paul reminds us of our empowered journey in the Spirit. If you remember, Jesus promised that He would not leave us as orphans (John 14:18). He knew we couldn’t live out our faith without the help of the Holy Spirit. So, He sent the Spirit to be with us and in us, to empower us to live the lives He called us to live.   

3 Amazing Gifts from Walking in the Spirit

Freedom. When you walk in step with the Holy Spirit, you discover the joy of walking free of guilt. Paul wrote that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). However, the enemy of our souls loves to torment us with our failures. When we walk empowered by the Holy Spirit, we recognize and confess our shortcomings, but we do not live in the bondage of never feeling good enough. 

Assurance. When we walk in step with the Spirit we are continually reassured of our adoption in Christ. We have testimony from the Spirit that we can cry out, Abba Father (Romans 8:15-16). As a result, we know that we have a secure attachment with our Father in Heaven. Out of that secure attachment, we are able to form deep attachments and connections with others. 

Fruitfulness. Paul writes that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).  I used to think I could pick one of these fruits and work on it all week, like a self-improvement course. However, the truth is, the closer you walk by the Holy Spirit’s power, the more His fruit naturally pours out of your life. The key is to walk step by step, empowered by His Spirit.  

Friend, this week, set your focus on walking in the Spirit. Just as my little grandsons were thrilled with the moving walkway in the airport, allow the Holy Spirit’s power to thrill you.   

Holy Spirit, I pray that you will fill me. I surrender my will and all control to You and ask that You would govern my life and empower me to walk in a way that’s worthy of my calling. May Your fruit flow from my life unhindered because I am walking so closely with You.

If you haven’t ordered your copy of Our Father, don’t forget! The Lord’s Prayer is too rich not to explore.

This week on The Connected Mom Podcast join us for an encore addition of Michelle Nietert’s episode as we talk about kids with big emotions.