Daily Devotional

Over the last couple of months, I’ve made several trips to Sacramento for work, spending a few hours each way on Highway 99.

For one trip, I checked out a Rivian from our company vehicle pool. The first time I drove it, I treated it like any other car—steering, accelerating, braking, and dealing with the usual stop-and-go traffic.

Before my next trip, a colleague told me about its driver-assistance feature. Once engaged, the vehicle stayed in its lane, adjusted its speed to traffic, and even stopped and started on its own when stuck in traffic. It could also safely change lanes when I used the turn signal.

I was impressed and it made driving down the long stretch of road more enjoyable. Everyone should have this special feature, I thought to myself.

Later, while trying to change the podcast I was listening to, I took my eyes off the road for an exceptionally long time. This time, the warning was different—the driver assistance disengaged. The feature was still available, but before I could use it again, I had to recognize that I had ignored its warnings and then deliberately reengage it. Once I did, I also had to follow its requirement: keep my eyes on the road.

Any comparison between a vehicle and the Holy Spirit is imperfect, but the experience reminded me of our Christian walk.

Jesus said:

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
John 14:26

Like someone discovering a feature they didn’t know was available, a new believer begins to learn what it means to have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them. He teaches us through God’s Word, guides us toward what honors God, and convicts us when we begin to wander.

But we have a responsibility to pay attention.

We can become comfortable traveling down the road of life. Our eyes wander, distractions take over, and we ignore the Spirit’s conviction. Paul warns:

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
Ephesians 4:30

We grieve the Holy Spirit when we knowingly resist what God has told us through His Word. Yet unlike the Rivian’s driver assistance, the Holy Spirit does not abandon us when are no longer in obedience. We are sealed by Him. When we wander, our response should be to recognize His conviction, confess our sin, and return to obedience.

Maybe there is a warning light on in your life today. Is the Holy Spirit bringing something to your attention that you have been ignoring?

Keep your eyes on the road. Pay attention to His prompting, stay grounded in God’s Word, and when you wander, turn back to Him.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for giving us the Holy Spirit as our Helper. Help us to recognize His leading and respond to His conviction. Keep us from becoming distracted by the things of this world or doing anything that grieves Your Spirit. When we wander, help us confess our sin and turn our attention back to You. Keep our eyes fixed on Christ as we travel the road ahead. Amen.

English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.