The Unfair Advantage of Love

Yesterday I wrote how my meditation on Psalm 46 caused me to look for more opportunities to love the people I am teaching in India. Today, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I got to live that out and the results were powerful.

Even though I slept well, I woke up very tired this morning. I think the long flight to India and time zone difference was starting to affect me. I began the day in prayer and put my day in the hands of the Spirit of Life (Romans 8:2). I figured if He can impart newness of life when we are saved, He can refresh my life today.

On the way to the India office, I wondered how I was going to engage the people attending the class I was teaching when I could barely engage myself. But, I knew once I got out of the way and let the Holy Spirit take control, my day would be ok.

As I waited to be introduced to the class, I prayed, “help me love these people through my teaching.” When I started to teach, I had a peace come over me and the students immediately engaged in my teaching.

Throughout the day, I found myself silently speaking to the Holy Spirit when I took a breath between presentation slides. Sometimes I said something like “this is all up to you.” Sometimes I asked for wisdom on how to love these people while I was teaching them. That always gave me a smile or something humorous to say that kept them riveted at the edge of their seats.

When I described how I would be coaching them in the future, the words that came out of my mouth to describe my leadership style were, “this may sound a little weird to you, but my leadership style is to love you through this transformation to make sure you are as successful as possible.” It was corny but affective.

At the end of the day, one of my colleagues told me today’s training was the best he had seen. He raved about me to my other colleagues. One of my client’s directors said he was stopped in the hall by one of the India Senior Vice Presidents who told him that she heard from some of the students that the training was fantastic.

I don’t share any of this to pump myself up. I was truly lifeless when I started the day. Because I was lifeless, my day should have been a flop. The success of the day can only be attributed to the Holy Spirit’s life giving power working through me. In (Matthew 3:16; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Peter 1:11) we are reminded that the Spirit of God is indeed part of the triune godhead and that He is just as much God as the Father and the Son. 

If Jesus is the Lord of your life, you are never without His Spirit. And, what a huge advantage you have through his power and counsel. I encourage you to make use of that unfair advantage.