A Spirit-Led People

In our eagerness to serve God, we often rush ahead without receiving what we need most—the Holy Spirit. After Jesus' resurrection, the disciples were ready to share the greatest story ever told, yet Jesus commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father. Despite having engaged with the true story of our world, experienced Jesus bringing hope, had their doubts addressed, been restored after failures, and received the Great Commission, they needed something more essential than their enthusiasm.This waiting was necessary because the Holy Spirit is the active agent of mission. As Lesslie Newbigin noted, mission isn't something the church does but something done by the Spirit who changes both the world and the church. Without the Spirit, our efforts are merely human striving. Additionally, the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—grow through waiting and abiding, not through rushing ahead. When the disciples obeyed and waited, Pentecost occurred, and they were transformed with divine power that enabled Peter to preach a sermon converting 3,000 people in one day. The early church was characterized by being 'filled with the Spirit,' which changed their economic life, care for others, and gave them confidence even in persecution.