Spiritual Alacrity (Part 2)
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. ––1 Peter 3:15
Whether you are a shortstop in baseball, a defensive back in football, or a power forward in basketball, your coach is going to tell you to stay on your toes. When you are on your toes, you are like a coiled spring, ready to react to the opposing team’s next move. Try it: when you place your weight on your toes, your body automatically shifts forward in an offensive-ready position.
The opposite is being caught on your heels, where your reaction time will be slower. When you move your weight backward to your heels, what happens? You can’t do anything until you either take a step or shift back to your toes.
Spiritual alacrity is the equivalent of staying on your toes as an athlete. It means we keep our senses honed, our eyes and ears tuned, and our minds sharp each day as we face life’s challenges. But it’s not enough to simply stay alert—we need to rely on the vision and direction of the Holy Spirit to show us where to go.
Have you ever driven in a blizzard or snow storm? It’s really difficult, especially if the roads have not yet been plowed. We must allow the Holy Spirit to be the snow plow that clears off the road as we drive in the storm. As we follow behind Him, He directs us to the people and problems that He wants us to address. Confusion dissipates; clarity rises. Solutions to previously dumbfounding problems become known.
Besides spiritual alacrity and being tuned in to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we also need to leave performance at the door. I learned a long time ago that if I approach ministry from the ego-driven side of my personality, I am not long for burn-out. We see this all the time in the church: folks who are driven by an unhealthy need to help others—often at the expense of their own marriage, family, or circle of friends. It’s the literal picture of a candle burning from both ends.
The poor we will always have with us, as Jesus notes, but some of the poor—the poor in spirit, the poor in finances, the poor in emotional health—are waiting specifically for us. We have what a select few need—our gifts are tailor-made for a certain segment of all the potential people we could help.
The only way to know who we are to help and how? Sit at the Father’s feet each day and He will tell you.
Father, give me spiritual alacrity and the ability to serve those specific people and needs that You have chosen for me to serve.