He Only Asks Us to Follow

There is nothing as exhilarating as walking each day with the Holy Spirit. Moving and breathing in the power of God. Listening for the voice that comes to your spirit, then obeying whatever he would have you do. Going wherever he tells you to go. Saying what he tells you to say. Ministering to whomever he puts in your path. Drinking from the well of his wisdom as he imparts it into your heart and mind.

“The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you — they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63).

I try to never question the Holy Spirit’s ways, never doubt his insight, never hesitate to let him lead. So many people try to educate the Holy Spirit on what he should do but God’s Spirit does not answer to you and me or ask us what we think about his ways. He only asks us to follow.

The most powerful and effective prayer any of us can pray is to say, “Jesus, I release my life to the working of your Holy Spirit. I have no plans of my own, no agenda, no goals of my own choosing, no desire that isn’t placed in my spirit by yours. I renounce Satan’s hold on my life and the sins that enslave me. Show me where you want me to go, what you want me to do, who you want me to see, and what you want me to say. I am no longer going to limit your work in my life. Take me! Mold me! Use me! Lead me! Make me a vessel of your Spirit!”

Instead of spending your life praying for blessings, pray that God will use you to bless others. Instead of striving to be comfortable and wealthy and well-fed, pray that God will use you to help others find comfort and shelter and food. Instead of looking for miracles, let God turn your life into a living, breathing miracle of his will.

That is how you make a true impact on the world for Christ and leave a lasting legacy.

Nicky Cruz, internationally known evangelist and prolific author, turned to Jesus Christ from a life of violence and crime after meeting David Wilkerson in New York City in 1958. The story of his dramatic conversion was told first in The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson and then later in his own best-selling book Run, Baby, Run.