Clothesline 299 "Change Your Hitching Post"

The 50 days of Easter are coming to a close. Sunday’s Gospel gave us our final visit with Jesus and the apostles at the Last Supper. Jesus is about to leave them…for the second time…on Ascension Thursday which we observed this past. His work on earth was complete. Now it would be up to the apostles to use what they had learned and teach the world. But how could they do that once Jesus was not there to guide them? Enter…the Holy Spirit!

The Holy Spirit is the “helper” Jesus talked about before he left them. He said this “helper” would be with them always to guide them on their journey. And this coming Sunday, Pentecost, is the day we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.

For the past two Sundays we have talked about this Holy Spirit and the gifts available to those who are baptized and grafted into the Christian life. Isn’t that an exciting word…grafted! All we have comes from the Spirit, and that same Spirit gives us what we need to do God’s work in the world.

Within us we have the power of Jesus to do great things in his name. Living the life of a committed Christian means being aware—all the time—that our very existence, function, and results must be under the umbrella of praise to God. He gave us life, and we repay that gift by doing his work in the world in His Name. And to help us do God’s work, he gives us the tools, gifts…a way in which we can do His work using His power.

You might be surprised at the gifts God gives you. Chances are, you already aware of at least one! But now…ask God to show you more. Ask Him to show you how you can be most useful in your journey on earth, what skills could be used to further his kingdom. You may be surprised! The Gifts of the Spirit witness to the power of Jesus in our lives, they build up the church, and they demonstrate God’s grace in us. All we have to do is ask…his gifts are waiting.

There was a man in Texas who used to hitch his horse every morning in front of the saloon. Why? Who knows! But one morning, the saloon keeper came out and found that the horse was hitched in front of the church. He saw the man walking down the street and called out, “Hey, why is your horse hitched in front of the church this morning?” The man turned around and said, “Well, last night I was converted in a revival meeting at that church, and I’ve changed my hitching post.”

As you explore this Holy Spirit and your commitment to your God, my prayer is that your actions and choices will reveal a change in your life…and that change will mean you’ve hitched yourself to Almighty God and his Holy Spirit!