11/18/2024
By Pastor Vinnie Cappetta
"Setting the Controls: Embracing Life Led by the Spirit"
Have you ever felt as though no matter how much effort you put into something, it’s just not working? Sometimes we experience that sense of struggle in our walk with God, especially when we try to live a life that’s Spirit-led but keep falling back into old ways of thinking or acting. The Christian life offers the promise of peace and purpose, but it’s a promise we experience fully only when we let go of control and allow God to take the lead.
Rebooting Our Spiritual Controls
Think about how often we rely on technology in our daily lives—our phones, computers, or cars. And how often do we need to reboot, restart, or update these devices to get them running smoothly again? The same is true for our spiritual lives. Without taking time to “reset,” or refocus on God, we can find ourselves sluggish, disconnected, or even going in the wrong direction. Setting our spiritual controls to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us is much like hitting the reboot button, aligning us with God’s power and purpose.
The Spirit Versus the Flesh (Romans 8:5-14)
Romans 8:5-14 contrasts life led by the Spirit with life controlled by the flesh. Paul explains that “those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” (Romans 8:5, NIV). In other words, our actions and choices flow from our mindset. Paul’s audience, familiar with the concept of being controlled by outside forces, would have understood that surrendering to the Holy Spirit involved intentionally choosing God’s way over their own desires, a choice that required constant effort and dependence on God’s strength.
My Messed-Up Heater
The day the heater failed, the chill in the air was nearly unbearable. I remember standing there, teeth chattering, fumbling with the controls as I tried to get the heater working. The cold seemed to seep into my bones, and no matter how many times I pressed the buttons, I couldn’t get warm. After a few frustrating minutes, I finally realized the issue—I hadn’t set the timer! With one simple adjustment, the heater sprang to life, filling the room with warmth. Sometimes our lives feel like that—cold, disconnected, and full of struggle—until we allow God’s Spirit to ignite a warmth and purpose in us that only He can provide.
The Daily Choice of Yielding Control
Surrendering to the Holy Spirit isn’t a one-time event. It’s a daily decision, sometimes even a moment-by-moment choice. The Christian journey requires regular alignment, or “setting the controls,” to be led by the Spirit and not by our own desires.
Pause and Reflect: In what areas of your life do you sense God calling you to let go of control? Pause for a moment and invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in those areas.
Practical Steps to “Set the Controls”
- Start Each Day with Prayer: Begin the day by asking the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts, decisions, and actions. Surrender your schedule and your plans to God.
- Create Daily Check-Ins: Set an alarm or a note on your phone to pause and realign yourself with God’s presence throughout the day. Use this as a quick moment to reconnect and ask, “Am I allowing God to lead, or am I taking over?”
- Reflect on Scripture About Surrender: Passages like Romans 12:1-2 and Galatians 5:16-17 remind us of the call to live by the Spirit. Meditate on these verses and let them reinforce your resolve to give God control.
Closing Prayer
Lord, I surrender my plans, desires, and even my struggles to You. Help me to set my heart on You, allowing Your Spirit to guide my every thought and action. Lead me on a path that glorifies You and fills me with Your peace. Teach me to trust You fully, knowing that Your ways are far greater than mine. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ongoing Reflection
What area of your life are you still holding back from God’s control? Take a few moments to journal your thoughts, inviting God to help you in your journey of surrender.
Challenge for the Week
This week, read Romans 8:5-14 each day and reflect on what it means to live by the Spirit. Make it a goal to pause and reset your spiritual controls at least once each day, asking God to help you live with a heart and mind that are fully surrendered to Him.
