There was a time in my life when I also wore a WWJD (What would Jesus do) armband. If I remember correctly, I wore it for more than a year. I can’t remember whether it worked or not, but at least I tried.

I really wish I could act like Jesus in every situation, but soon we overlook the armband and do and act as we want and not as Jesus would do. Paul really helps us here by praying for us and asking the Holy Spirit to play a greater role in our lives: 16 I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength…

If we allow the Holy Spirit in our lives the net effect is that we succeed in living the WWJD way of life. Paul puts the effect of releasing the Holy Spirit in our lives so well: 17that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.

Read it again.

In a way Christ gets inside us. We become one with Jesus. We start living like Jesus. From the way we live people can see the changed me. People see Jesus. Instead of my way of responding to life pushing people away, my behaviour attracts people. Now I don’t have to wear a WWJD armband to remind me how to act in every situation. No, inside me the right way to life happens naturally, because Christ is now part of my life.

And when Christ is part of your life the old stuff is thrown out to make space for something new and that is love. Love becomes the basis of your life. Everything you do and say are born of love. And when love is the point of departure you don’t scream at someone else, even if they are wrong. Even less do you gossip and put others down. Because of love you first see the other person’s humanity and build them up. When love gets the upper hand, you don’t begrudge others anything and you forgive easily.

That is the net effect of the person who allows the Holy Spirit to work his life. Jesus and his habits of love move in. But not only other people benefit from this. You become different: 17… with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love.

When we’re anchored in Jesus, when He becomes our basis and foundation, the winds and high waves of life can come, we can withstand them. The love we live becomes the glue keeping us glued to Jesus, and to others.

The more we allow the Holy Spirit to take over, the more Jesus becomes part of our lives, and the net effect is that we live from love and live love. Beautiful, hey. Let’s say it again: The more we allow the Holy Spirit to take over, the more Jesus becomes part of our lives, and the net effect is that we live from love and live love.

That is the glue that keeps us glued to one another and to our Saviour.

Go and live like that …

Scripture:

Ephesians 3:14-21

Reflection

How much space inside yourself do you give to the Holy Spirit?

Is love the net effect?

How strong is your glue?

Prayer

Lord, I know life isn’t rocket science. All we have to do is to give the Holy Spirit more space in our lives. Then Jesus will be more visible and we and the people around us will be bound together in love. But I struggle to do that. Therefore, I give this commitment again: Holy Spirit, come and live in me. Come and take over and let love flow and be the glue. Amen