Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.
If you have ever sung a solo on a song you understand what it is like to be "out there" in front of everybody. Totlally exposed for the critique of those listening and also the praise for a job well done. In working with saints who love to sing I have heard the most beautiful voices of individuals who are singing in groups who will not sing a solo!!! I think to myself "this is crazy." They have such a great voice. But they won't do it because of fear of messing up.
Serving God is just like that soloist. God calls us to do something that stretches us a little bit, even though He has equipped us well to do it and we won't stand up and do it solo. There is safety in numbers and there are many who are perfectly content to live their lives hidden and protected with the large numbers of the group. But what about the solo? Our enemy loves nothing more than to stop the "stepping out" or "solo" by a believer who is seeing their faith rise to the point of personal commitment. Why? Because that person is also a called leader that motivates others to stand up for our Lord. How can we know that God will be there for us when we stand up and go solo? His Word tells us in Ephesians 6 that we are in a battle and we need to take our marching orders seriously enough to stand solo if needed. And usually it is needed!! Look at what verses 13-18 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
Verse 18 speaks to the point of the Galatians scripture above. Paul definitely stepped out "solo" when he followed Jesus and He knew that the battle was coming His way. So when Paul says in verses 15-16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. He was speaking as one who knew what he was talking about and as he stepped out of his past way of life as a card carrying Jew, and going solo with Jesus He knew that the fight was ON!! Here is how Jesus presented going solo in Luke 14:25 Many people were traveling with Jesus. He said to them,26 “If you come to me but will not leave your family, you cannot be my follower. You must love me more than your father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters—even more than your own life! 27 Whoever will not carry the cross that is given to them when they follow me cannot be my follower.
I took that challenge literally and gave up my family to follow Jesus. I gave up the direction I had planned for my life and surrendered to His call and that solo action impacted everything I did and everyone I was associated with through my life. It made me a soloist in everything I think and do and even though I have a great wife, kids, and and grandkids they still do not understand totally the call God has on my life because God didn't give them that call. It was me......going solo! Going solo will put you in a position to be totally misunderstood, doubted, critiqued, and shunned. God didn't say it would be easy. In fact God said it would be a "battle" and I have been in that battle and I have seen victories and defeats. But I keep on keeping on, always hoping for more victories in the days ahead and for great revival in the kingdom work I have given my life to. The other half of this solo position God has called me to is filled with those who were lost coming to faith in Jesus; those who were in the crowd stepping out and going solo also for Jesus as He has called. Every battle will have victories and defeats, but the main thing is the war has been won by our loving, powerful Savior and ultimate victory will be seen in glory!! Oh Glory!!! The great evangelist Leonard Ravenhill wrote “The greatest miracle that God can do today is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world and make him holy, then put him back into that unholy world and keep him holy in it.”
My prayer is that God will continue to use me as His soloist, who walks with God on the path He has put before me. I am weak on my own, but with the Spirit of God there is freedom and power. This the pilgrimage I am on and continue to follow. If you are walking solo, remember that God is walking with you and will strengthen you when no one else will. We can always rely on our loving God.
The Pilgrimage continues....
David Warren
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