No distance between us

We were having family devotions the other day after dinner.  As Tim was reading, some words resinated inside of me.  I wanted him to read it again - to highlight the words.  They were words that were so beautiful to me - a picture so beautiful.  I have underlined the one particular sentence that I fell in love with.

"Do not look to your own thoughts, but walk in the Spirit; so will you accomplish the work the Spirit desires for you. ... Therefore be diligent.  Follow Me so closely that there will be no distance between us.  Listen carefully to My voice so you do not go your own way.  Set your heart to follow to the end, for at the end there awaits an exceeding weight of glory for those who endure."

As I heard these words I had such a longing for this every day.  I know those times when I have been so close to the Spirit.  It is I who get in the way so many times when I try to accomplish my work instead of His work in my life.  Galatians 5:25 "Since we live by the Spririt, let us keep in step with the Spirit."  To keep in step means that we are following.  Have you ever tried to keep in step with someone you are walking with?  Tim and I try that sometimes but it can be hard.  His legs are longer than mine and he has a differerent stride than me but for me to keep in step with him I have to stay focused and pay attention to each step he takes.  Many times along the way I will mess up the step but I just have to get back in the rhythm again.  That's a beautiful picture of following the Spirit of Christ.  When we allow him to lead us sometimes we will get off step, our attentions wander in other directions, we get sidetracked.  But he is still there with us, gently guiding us back to him.  I want to be so close to him that there is no space between us.  What peace that will bring to my soul, what peace it does bring to my soul when I am walking in step with him.

...and after alot of practice walking in step with the Spirit, I have those times when I find myself not having to work so hard to pay attention to where my feet are walking because through his power I am confident that where he leads will be the best and most beautiful for me.

Dear Jesus, I thank you so much this day for sending your Spirit to live within me.  It is so amazing to me that you love me so much that you would indwell inside of me.  Help me to live my life empowered to live and walk in step with you.  Help me to get out of the way.  Speak to me this day and may I walk refreshed and filled up in you.