When Landscapers plan pathways in a park or across a college campus they sometimes use a method called Lines of Desire.

Initially they don’t build any pathways but spread grass seed throughout the grounds. Then they sit back and let the people walk where they want. Eventually pathways are eroded into the grass, and the Landscapers are able to see exactly where people have needed to walk and then lay permanent pathways accordingly.

Just like the Landscapers, we too need to step back and take a long hard strategic look at how the Holy Spirit is building his church, so we can work with him.

Just before Jesus returned to heaven he gave his disciples this command “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5

The disciples had witnessed amazing events during their last three years with Jesus; he had empowered them and even sent them on ministry trips of their own. So why did they have to wait, why couldn’t they just get started building the Church right away? There is a lesson here; I believe they had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come because they could not have built the church without him. The bible says that if we remain in Him we will become fruitful (Joh 15:4).

If this is true then we will find the Holy Spirit where the Church is growing, and there will be evidence of people being attracted to his power and presence.

Firstly the Holy Spirit builds his church using anointed and gifted leaders.

“And I tell you that you are Peter (which means rock), and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Mat 16:18

Peter was an anointed and gifted leader albeit with a great capacity to get things wrong, but he was also the one who got out of the boat and walked on water! Mt 14:25-30 Peter’s ability to work with the Holy Spirit defined his success.

Jesus tells Peter that he will build his Church around him using him as a founding rock. This is certainly true in history and true today as both of the fastest growing churches in the UK are built around anointed and gifted leaders. Although these leaders are apostolic, it’s their ability to work with the Holy Spirit that defines their success.

I believe it’s the same for us, that Our Ability to Work with the Holy Spirit Defines our Success (John 3:8)

Secondly we can see the Holy Spirit anointing initiatives such as Alpha, which has brought large numbers of people into the Church on a global scale.

In the same way as the landscapers use lines of desire to strategically build their paths, we need to step back and recognise where the Holy Spirit is walking, who he is anointing, where he is working and how he is working.

Our Ability to Work with the Holy Spirit Defines our Success