Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what happened to him. (Acts 3:8b-10)
The Holy Spirit changing me is an ongoing process. I have more patience and rarely lose my temper, but I haven’t yet attained the gentleness I would like to have. I’m excited I can stop disagreements from becoming battles, but as I read this passage, I realized the change is slower than it should be. The power of the Holy Spirit can make the change faster if I allow it.
We’ve seen remarkable changes in Peter since the beginning of Acts when Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He changed quickly to help others. Peter took the lame man’s hand and helped him only enough to allow the lame man to help himself, so the lame man had a part in the Holy Spirit’s healing in the name of Jesus.
The lame man, now strong because of the Holy Spirit, jumped with excitement and praised God. If he had walked into the temple with his head down and sat in the back, no one would have noticed him.
Do we let the Holy Spirit change us quickly? When we see the change, do we show our excitement to others or do we sit home and thank God silently? Wonder and amazement will only fill others when we’re excited ourselves. Then they will want what we have.
Father God, praise be to you for bearing my burdens. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and let me give the Holy Spirit room to change me quickly to be gentler and more loving. Let me be excited to show others the changes in me and Jesus’ love. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, amen.