(Mark 1:12) The Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the Wilderness of Judea to be tempted by Satan.

After the water baptism of Jesus, Mark 1:12 tells us that the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the Wilderness of Judea to be tempted by Satan.

Wow, the Holy Spirit doesn’t seem to be very nice.

Well, the Holy Spirit is not always nice.

Why?

Because the Holy Spirit is the wind of the direct presence of God that moves in our lives in different ways and at different times.

Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as a moving wind in John 3:8: “The wind blows wherever it wants, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born by the Holy Spirit.”

As Christians, we often think being led by the Holy Spirit is a smooth and easy process.

In other words, the Holy Spirit guides us when we are ready to obey him.

The Holy Spirit is easygoing.

He stays in our groove.

He doesn’t rush things or disrupt our free will.

However, this is only true sometimes.

At other times, the Spirit of God pushes us—rather abruptly at times—forward into new experiences and seasons in our lives, even when we don’t feel ready to obey him.

Over my lifetime, I have experienced the Holy Spirit forcefully pushing me in unexpected directions many times.

Often, I felt like he was pushing me off my comfortable spiritual couch.

Sometimes, the Holy Spirit becomes a driving wind that pushes us forward beyond the normal and out of our daily mundane lives.

A piece of advice: When the strong wind of the Holy Spirit drives you out of your comfort box—relax and put up your sails.

We need to obey God even when we do not understand what he is doing.

For when God wants to move us forward out of our spiritual ruts and static lifestyles, he sends the sovereign wind of the Holy Spirit to push us forward into our future.

Whether you feel like it or not, follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Or else, you will find yourself fighting against God.

And you will not win.

Remember, keep your sails up!