Who Is Your Governor?
For those of you who are following our YouTube devotions, you have noticed that each member of our group has presented devotions at weekly intervals. Your heartfelt response has been so humbling and we sincerely thank you. With that in mind, this devotion will begin featuring other group members throughout the year. Today’s devotion is written by my sister, Sandy. I am super excited for her to share her heart and I know that you will be blessed, challenged, and encouraged! Richard Blythe
A lot of national attention is focused on our governors right now. As Americans anticipate the return to some level of normalcy from the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re all waiting to hear from these powerful individuals. Here in Oklahoma, the man in charge is Gov. Kevin Stitt.
In this devotion, May I ask a question for you to seriously ponder? Who is your governor? Not the governor of your state, but the governor of your soul.
A governor is:
- one who exercises authority over an area
- an official who is appointed to act as chief executive
- the commanding officer
You might have quickly answered, The Lord! I trust that’s your initial reaction, although I’m looking for a slightly different answer today. I’d like to ask, are you governed by the Spirit? I’m not necessarily asking if you are a born again believer. We all agree that this is of utmost importance since it’s the foundation of our Christian experience. The weightier matter is, are you Spirit-led?
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:1&5
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
A professing Christian was talking to a friend of ours a few years ago and she made this comment,
“I’m religious but I’m not spiritual.”
Now, anyone would agree that this particular mindset doesn’t leave much room (if any) for the Spirit’s leading.
As we previously read in Romans chapter 8, Paul explains the only way to have life and peace is to be governed by the Spirit.
Safety Limits
It’s interesting to know that many Briggs and Stratton engines have an important part called the “governor.” Basically, it acts as a cruise control for such machinery as lawnmowers and it keeps the engine from exceeding proper limits.
There’s also a “governor” on many transfer trucks so the driver won’t exceed a safe speed and/or distance. I was surprised to find there are many tutorials online, explaining how to disable the governor so the owner of the vehicle can travel unrestricted. Just as we see this risky process taking place among drivers, many Christians are trying to bypass and ignore the Spirit leading in their lives!
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.
Revelation 3:1
This verse was spoken from the mouth of the Lord Himself as He addressed the Church. So I understand that if my ears aren’t open to the Spirit’s voice, I’m not allowing Him to act as the Governor of my life. This prompts me to ask myself the following questions, which reveal whether or not the Spirit sets the mandates of my life:
- Are my thoughts Spirit-led?
- Does the Spirit set my standards of music preferences, dress code, and media habits?
- Is my prayer life governed by the Spirit, as well as my time spent in the Word?
Respectful Compliance
Thankfully, in these last days, individual Christians are realizing we must be governed by the Spirit, and by doing so, He will govern our church services once again. We heard a young Baptist minister mention how we are losing a generation of youth because we’re not operating under the unction and power of the Holy Ghost! Brothers and sisters, when we are Spirit-led, we are not only blessed personally, but our friends and family will benefit also.
For example, when Mom was a young girl, she had an uneasy feeling in the middle of a normal day at home. She realized this was a Heavenly urgency, so she asked her family to stop and pray together. Unbeknownst to them, a tornado was headed their way. When they listened to the news later that evening, they learned of the tornado and the newscaster explained it had made a mysterious turn in the opposite direction. Because someone had an ear to hear what the Spirit was saying, a whole family was spared that day!
Personal Acquaintance
Time and time again, the Holy Ghost has proven He has my best interest in mind. I’ll probably never shake the hand of the governor of Oklahoma, but my spiritual Governor and Comforter dwells within me.
Many years ago, at the young age of nine, I yielded myself to His full control. Because of His trustworthy, powerful guidance, I’m not searching for another candidate. Re-election day will never be necessary. As the old song says, “He abides, He abides, Hallelujah He abides with me!”