Soaring Above Reactivity, Waiting on God-Navigating Life's Explosive Moments

God's presence is often likened to the wind, a force unseen but profoundly felt. The Holy Spirit is often symbolized as the wind in spiritual teachings. This reminds me of the many teachings I have heard that compare our christian walk with the majestic eagle, a creature that offers a profound lesson in divine alignment.

Eagles, in their awe-inspiring flight, exemplify patience and wisdom. Unlike other birds that hastily take flight, eagles demonstrate a unique understanding—they wait on the wind. It's not a random ascent into the heavens; it's a deliberate act of discernment.

This waiting is not a passive idleness but a strategic pause, an acknowledgment that their journey is intricately tied to the currents of the wind.

Consider a profound story of an eagle in flight. In a mountainous terrain, where thermals and updrafts are unpredictable, an eagle prepares to soar. It stands on the precipice, eyes keenly attuned to the environment. It senses the subtle shifts in the air, waiting for that perfect moment when the wind cradles its wings.

As the wind rises beneath its wings, the eagle takes flight with grace and precision. It doesn't merely battle against the currents; it partners with the unseen forces, harnessing the energy of the wind to elevate itself to extraordinary heights. The eagle's flight is not solely about its strength or wingspan; it's about an intimate dance with the wind.

Just as the eagle's flight is a harmonious collaboration with the wind, our spiritual journey finds its truest expression when we align ourselves with the unseen but undeniable presence of God. It's a reminder that, like the wind beneath the eagle's wings, the Holy Spirit carries us to heights we could not reach on our own.

John 4:24 (NIV): "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

In Shane Roessiger's insightful book, "Chunks of Meat," a profound analogy emerges, shedding light on the essence of worship in spirit and truth and the undeniable truth that God is Spirit. He graciously gave us the Holy Spirit. He did not leave us without intense and extreme power.

Roessiger draws a vivid comparison between the Holy Spirit and two distinct objects: a kite and a motorized controlled airplane.

In the analogy, the kite represents the lifestyle and worship that aligns with the Holy Spirit. Just as a kite yields to the wind, allowing itself to be carried by unseen forces, lifestyle and worship in the Spirit is characterized by a yielding of the human spirit to the transcendent power of God. It embodies a surrender, a harmonious dance with the Holy Spirit's currents, much like the eagle waiting on the wind before taking flight. Man has no control only discernment of what he cannot see.

On the other hand, the remote controlled airplane symbolizes a form of lifestyle and worship where human control takes precedence. In this scenario, man directs every movement, illustrating worship that lacks yielding and dependence on the divine wind—the Holy Spirit. The contrast becomes stark, emphasizing the significance of yielding to the Spirit in authentic worship.

 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV), which states: "Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." This verse is part of a larger passage where the apostle Paul is describing the characteristics of people in the last days.

The term "form of godliness" refers to an outward appearance or semblance of religious devotion or piety. It describes individuals who may engage in religious rituals, observe traditions, or outwardly express devotion to God, but their actions and beliefs may lack true spiritual substance or a genuine connection with the Holy Spirit. Essentially, it highlights the contrast between outward appearances and the inner reality of one's faith.

The analogy of the kits and airplane becomes even more poignant when considering the eagle's flight. Just as the eagle waits on the wind, not relying solely on its own strength, a genuine lifestyle and genuine worship involves recognizing the profound partnership with the Holy Spirit. It's about yielding to the divine currents, allowing the Spirit to guide and elevate the worshipper to spiritual heights unattainable through mere human effort.

In contemplating John 4:24 and Roessiger's analogy, a deeper understanding of lifestyle and worship emerges—one that beckons us to yield to the Spirit like a kite in the wind, acknowledging that true worship is a collaborative dance where the Holy Spirit is the guiding force in the flight of our souls.

Waiting on the Holy Spirit involves cultivating a posture of patience, discernment, and surrender, allowing God's guidance to unfold in His perfect timing. In contrast, when man seeks to control, it often reflects a reliance on personal understanding, haste, and a desire to manipulate outcomes. 

Here are some ways to align yourself with waiting on God and seeking confirmation from the Holy Spirit:

1. Prayer and Reflection: Spend dedicated time in prayer and reflection, seeking God's guidance and opening your heart to His leading. Cultivate a habit of listening in prayer, allowing moments of stillness for the Holy Spirit to speak to your spirit.

2. Scripture Study: Immerse yourself in the Word of God. The Bible is a profound source of wisdom, and studying scripture can provide insights and confirmation from the Holy Spirit. Look for verses that resonate with your situation and bring peace or conviction.

3. Seeking Counsel: Surround yourself with wise and spiritually mature individuals. Seeking counsel from mentors, pastors, or trusted friends can offer perspectives aligned with God's will. The Holy Spirit often speaks through the wisdom and guidance of others.

4. Openness to Correction: Cultivate a heart that is open to correction. If you sense a redirection from the Holy Spirit through conviction, circumstances, or the counsel of others, be willing to adjust your course accordingly. This requires humility and a readiness to yield.

5. Patient Discernment: Exercise patience in discerning God's will. Waiting on the Holy Spirit involves understanding that His timing may not align with our own. Be attentive to the nudges, promptings, and confirmations that come, even if they do not unfold as quickly as you might desire.

6. Relinquishing Control: Release the need for absolute control. Acknowledge that God's ways are higher, and surrender your plans to His sovereignty. Trust that waiting on the Holy Spirit involves yielding to His guidance rather than attempting to manipulate outcomes.

7. Fasting and Seeking God's Face: Consider incorporating fasting as a spiritual discipline. Fasting, coupled with fervent prayer, can heighten your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and create a deeper intimacy with God. Use this time to seek His face and wait on His direction.

8. Listening Through Worship: Engage in worship with a heart tuned to listen. Music and worship can create a conducive environment for the Holy Spirit to speak. Be attentive to any impressions, thoughts, or emotions that align with God's peace.

By intentionally adopting these practices, you position yourself to wait on the Holy Spirit and seek confirmation in alignment with God's will. Remember that waiting on God is an ongoing journey of faith, trust, and continuous surrender.

In observing various situations, it becomes evident that a considerable number of individuals, rather than embodying the spirit of "waiting on the Lord," and hearing the Holy Spirit, tend to become instant "reactors." This inclination transforms them into detonators of words and emotions, often resulting in negative outcomes and causing significant harm. The contrast between these approaches—waiting on the Lord, yielding to the Holy Spirit, and being a swift reactor—is stark and impactful.

The biblical admonition to "wait on the Lord" emphasizes patience, trust, and reliance on divine guidance. In contrast, becoming an instant reactor involves a rapid and often impulsive response, akin to detonating emotions without considering the potential consequences. This reactive approach can lead to a cascade of negative effects, affecting relationships, decisions, and overall well-being.

Waiting on the Lord:

In waiting on the Lord, individuals anchor themselves in faith and patience. This involves trusting in God's timing, seeking His guidance, and allowing His wisdom to shape responses and actions. It aligns with the biblical understanding that God's ways and thoughts surpass human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Instant Reactors:

On the other hand, instant reactors operate on a different wavelength. They respond swiftly, driven by emotions, without taking the time to seek divine guidance. This reactive behavior can lead to unintended consequences, strained relationships, and a sense of discord. In those moments of swift reaction, the divine invitation from Psalm 46:10 resonates with a poignant caution: "Be still and know that I am God."

This scriptural wisdom serves as a crucial reminder that reacting too quickly and too harshly can resemble the detonation of a destructive force, causing damage that is challenging to undo.

In contrast to the patient waiter who embraces stillness, the reactor operates with haste, responding impulsively and often with harshness. The analogy extends to the explosive nature of a bomb—quick to detonate and capable of inflicting widespread damage.

Explosive Responses in Conflict:

• Reactors: Swiftly engage in conflicts, responding with words or actions akin to an explosion.

• Waiters: Approach conflicts with patience, seeking divine wisdom for a measured and thoughtful response, avoiding the collateral damage of emotional explosions. "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!" (Psalm 27:14).

Detonating Decision-Making:

• Reactors: Make decisions impulsively, akin to triggering a detonation without consulting the Holy Spirit.

• Waiters: Deliberately pause, seeking divine direction in decision-making and avoiding the destructive consequences of impulsive choices. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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Volatility in Speech:

• Reactors: Speak impulsively, causing emotional explosions without considering the impact of their words.

• Waiters: Pause before speaking, allowing the Holy Spirit to shape words that are measured, empathetic, and free from the destructive force of harshness. "Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one" (Colossians 4:6).

Triggering Anxiety in Uncertainty:

• Reactors: Respond to uncertainty with fear, anxiety, or a frantic desire for control, akin to setting off an emotional explosion.

• Waiters: Approach uncertainty with trust, standing firm in the knowledge that God is in control, and patiently seeking His guidance, avoiding the destructive fallout of anxiety. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

Escalating Offenses:

• Reactors: Quick to take offense and may retaliate swiftly, resembling the rapid detonation of an explosive reaction.

• Waiters: Practice forgiveness, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance to overcome the natural urge to react defensively and avoid the damaging repercussions of escalating conflicts. "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14).

In essence, the recognition of the potential negativity associated with being a reactor involves a profound acknowledgment of the potential destructive force within quick, harsh reactions. It underscores the importance of heeding the divine call to stillness, aligning with God's wisdom to prevent the explosive damage that emotional, reactive responses can bring.

The lesson is clear: in the calm of stillness, we avoid the destructive explosions that can mar our journey and the journeys of those around us, becoming true "waiters" on the Lord, yielding to the Holy Spirit.

In essence, being a reactor often leads to responses driven by emotions, impulsivity, and self-reliance, while waiting on God involves intentional patience, seeking divine guidance in the Holy Spirit, and aligning our actions with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. It's a transformative shift from quick reactions to thoughtful responses rooted in faith and trust in God's leading.

"But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31, ESV).

The analogy of the eagle's flight unveils a deeper truth—a truth that intertwines the patient art of waiting on God with the imminent soaring that follows. Isaiah's proclamation speaks to the essence of this celestial partnership, where our ascent, much like the eagle's, is not rooted in hurried flapping but in the patient yielding to the winds of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible provides numerous examples of how the Holy Spirit guides believers in their daily lives. Here are some key scriptural references that illustrate the nature of this guidance:

• Inner Conviction and Peace: The Holy Spirit's guidance is often experienced as an inner sense of conviction or peace about a particular decision or action. This conviction is not based on external factors or personal opinions but rather on a deep-seated assurance from the Spirit. For instance, in Acts 16:6-7, the Holy Spirit guided Paul and Silas on their missionary journey, preventing them from entering Bithynia and directing them to Macedonia.

• Discernment and Wisdom: The Holy Spirit enhances our ability to discern between right and wrong, good and evil, and truth and error. This discernment is crucial for making wise decisions in various aspects of life. In 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, Paul explains that the natural person cannot understand spiritual things, but the spiritual person, guided by the Holy Spirit, can discern both spiritual and natural matters.

• Leading and Direction: The Holy Spirit actively guides believers toward the path God intends for them. This guidance can manifest in various ways, such as through dreams, visions, impressions, or gentle promptings. In Acts 10:19-20, the Holy Spirit instructed Peter to accept the invitation from Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, breaking down cultural barriers and expanding the gospel message.

• Empowerment and Strength: The Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome challenges, face opposition, and fulfill God's calling in their lives. This empowerment is not about self-reliance but rather about relying on the Spirit's strength and grace. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will empower believers to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.

• Transformation and Renewal: The Holy Spirit is not merely a guide but also an agent of transformation, renewing the mind, heart, and spirit of believers. This transformation leads to a greater conformity to Christ's image and a deeper understanding of God's will. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul encourages believers to be transformed by the renewing of their minds, guided by the Holy Spirit.

As we embrace the sacred art of waiting—waiting for the gentle breeze of divine guidance, waiting for the perfect timing of our Creator—we discover that our ascent is not a mere flight; it is a celestial symphony, a harmonious collaboration with the unseen forces that shape our spiritual journey.

The call to soar like eagles is an invitation to transcend the limitations of our understanding, trusting in the currents of grace that carry us to heights unattainable through our own efforts.

So, let us wait on the wind of the Holy Spirit, for in patient expectancy, we find the wings to soar beyond the realms of our human limitations. Anchored in the promise of Isaiah, we know that as we wait on the Lord, our strength is renewed, and our spirits ascend to new dimensions—a divine elevation that transcends the ordinary and reaches the extraordinary. The scriptures assure us that, just as the eagle, attuned to the winds, takes flight, so too shall we rise on the currents of God's grace, experiencing a spiritual ascension that is both profound and transformative.