The Radio: The Holy Spirit

The spotter is an essential part of any racing crew. Sat atop a tall perch that overlooks the entire track, the spotter is able to see everything both ahead and behind of the driver, who's view is limited. The spotter helps his driver avoid accidents by providing him both forewarning and a whole host of information he couldn't get on his own. This, is Jesus. Just as Jesus is on this 'higher plane' than us, we, like race drivers, are vision limited to what's right in front of us, desperately in need of someone who can guide us along our journey. Jesus, sitting up there in heaven at the right hand of God, relentlessly gives us direction, but without a way to communicate it to us, it becomes wisdom that falls on deaf ears. So how do we receive it? God's radio, The Holy Spirit.

"But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come" John 16:13 NIV

The spotter's most valuable tool, the radio, is a crucial part of a team's success. Enabling the ability to coordinate between crew members, it makes team phenomenon such as pit stops, driver changes, or repairs much more successful. A communication device, it enables each member to connect with one another to deliver helpful information and synchronize movements, altogether increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of a unit. In this way, it too is used by God. That small, 'inner voice', the Holy Spirit, comes to guide you and help you in God's ways, giving you a translated, real-time feed to his desires for you in your daily life. Alone, we may end up running out of fuel, put on the wrong tires, or get into an accident with a fellow driver, but with the Holy Spirit, we can keep running the race God planned for us, which will ultimately lead to victory.

"But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" John 14:26 NIV

Like a radio, however, The Holy Spirit isn't standard. Not everyone, nor every team has it from the get-go, but EVERYONE does have access to it. It's not a given, it's a luxury you have to receive, and one that can only be gifted through a relationship with god, asking both him and his holy spirit to come into your life. Another provision of God's graciousness, the Holy Spirit simply requires and acceptance of Jesus's gift.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" Acts 2:38 NIV

Like a radio, we ourselves, can choose to cut out the holy spirit. But like a driver without his pit wall, without it, we'll be out on track flying blind, unaware of the big picture. Without the Holy Spirit, we won't be able to hear what God is saying to us, for it'll be as if we put him on mute. A driver then, without the ability to communicate, we'll drive full-speed, head on, into the unknown that lies ahead. Without direction, we'll be blessed to lose, fortunate to finish, but likely to wreck prematurely. Without the Holy Spirit, we truly will be isolated. A driver, with no mirrors, in the middle of a NASCAR field, at Daytona, in the rain, with a blown tire, next to Kyle Busch: prime makings for 'The Big One'. Yes, without the Holy Spirit, it's that bad.

"Don’t stop the work of the Holy Spirit" 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ERV