https://odb.org/2026/10/22/in-step-with-god
Galatians 5:16–26 (NIV): So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Can you imagine sprinting as hard as you can possibly run . . . without being able to see? That’s what happens in Paralympic guide running. Blind runners compete with a guide, someone who runs alongside them step by step, connected by a short tether. American runner David Brown is among the world’s fastest blind Paralympian runners, having won a gold medal for running a 100-meter dash in under eleven seconds. Jerome Avery was Brown’s guide for much of his career. Brown described their connection this way: “We’re like one person.” Avery agreed, saying, “It should look like one person running.”
https://youtu.be/xACYoPAicHE?si=K-zgvSxia71uho_1
What a beautiful illustration of the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Even when we’re running with all we’ve got, the Spirit stays perfectly in step with us—directing our every movement, guiding us this way and that. (Adam R. Holz, Our Daily Bread, 22nd October 2026)
The combination of visually impaired David Brown and the normal sighted Jerome Avery, the Paralympian 100m champion sprinter and his guide, is a perfect illustration of us with the Holy Spirit. For Jerome to be the guide in the 100m sprint, he needs to be able to sprint as fast as David, in fact they need to be in step with one another. That means Jerome must himself be a world class sprinter to keep up with David and he is actually a former US international sprinter.
As believers, as much as the Holy Spirit is our helper and guide, we must also keep up with Him. He will walk at our pace, that’s for sure and guide us along the way if we fall back. But for us to grow in Christ, we need to let Him lead. That we do the things He prompts us to do. Rather than He always needing to clear up the mess we make of our lives. Remember that we wouldn’t have believed if not for the conviction the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us by the grace of God. He opened up our spiritual eyes to see the truth and removed the scales of our spiritual blindness.
As Paul taught us in Galatians 5:25, since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let Him lead us so we may respond to God’s calling upon our lives and fulfil His plans and purposes for our lives for the season. Our lives need to be sanctified and our bodies a living sacrifice. Do not let our worldly affairs and the challenges of life distract us from pursuing the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Always set our priorities right.
Holy Spirit, guide us in the way of righteousness in the path of righteousness towards eternal life. Help us always to remain on the narrow path. Help us to overcome the temptation to give in to the attractions of the world and the rigours of life. Strengthen us, O Lord, O Holy Spirit, that we will be in Christ the person our Father God intends for us in this world and the next! Amen!
