SPIRIT LEAD ME –

A Personal Reflection on Lent

Spirit Lead Me – Part 1

Pastor Calvin Cook

The depth of Lent now a couple of weeks in should be drawing us into a place that we don’t often want to linger. We know that scripture tells us that after Jesus baptism that he was as the Gospel of Matthew describes: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.”  Matthew 4:1

Throughout this season and actually more deeply recently I have been examining not only my own walk with Jesus and areas that I can walk with more authority not stumbling so often and take that rod and staff that has been promised me in Psalm 23. While at the same time question “how is or how am I allowing the Spirit to lead me?” 

None of us are in the same place in walk with Jesus, we are all at different levels and places. But with all my heart I have been asking “how can I grow closer? How can I follow nearer? How can I live up to the expectations that God has for me and share that with others.”

The answer for me has not only come from Matthew’s words “led by the Spirit” but by a song that has become a new part of my everyday play list. The song “Spirit Lead Me” by Michael Ketterer has caused me in this season of lent to reflect and examine my own way of faithful discipleship.

The song speaks about A Life Placed on the Altar: “My life is an altar. Let Your fire fall.” Is our life an altar? A holy place? Do we know and understand that the same Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness is the same Spirit who strengthened Jesus is the same one who strengthens us today. Strengthens us to endure!

Being Spirit led has certainly taken on different meaning this Lent. One of the first wake up moments is that before I can experience the “good life” I must be willing to surrender the things that keep me from experiencing resurrection.

Before there was resurrection there was a wilderness!

That the Spirit who led Jesus into the wilderness is the same Spirit that wants to lead me and you through the strength and power of God at work in you through the Holy Spirit.

I have more thoughts to share on this, but want to say: Don’t hate the wilderness, whatever you go through that there is much more for you. Lean into the Spirit and where the Spirit is leading you!

Look for more and focus on what it is to be led by the Spirit.