Nineteen years ago our family purchased a Toyota Sequoia. This rugged SUV offered reliable transportation to sporting events, theater practice, off-road adventures, school, the store, work, and church. The third seat allowed us to transport up to eight people at a time which proved helpful while Sammy and Sophie grew up.
We park the Sequoia in the parking spaces across for our apartment so that when Gary travels, even though I don’t usually drive it, I keep watch over the vehicle through the windows. Gary traveled last week and the Sequoia remained parked in its space. All appeared well until Gary returned and started the engine of the Sequoia to drive to an appointment.
At first the truck sounded normal, but then, the engine noise changed and it reverberated as though the truck transformed into a jet airplane ready for take off. Excessive commotion rose from under the hood and lights twinkled from the dashboard. Something was very wrong.
An inspection by a mechanic revealed that during the dark of night a thief cut out both of the catalytic converters. A catalytic converter serves as a device that converts toxic gases from an internal combustion engine into less-toxic pollutants. Without the converters, which the US government mandates for all vehicles, pollutants pour into the air and extreme noise ensues. The converter acts as a catalyst to transform both the air and noise pollution produced by the engine.
Adding to our sadness, the repairs will cost just over $6000, and that’s for refurbished catalytic converters. For new ones the cost reaches nearly $10,000. I wondered why they cost so much. I discovered that rare and precious metals are used as part of their construction. Because of the global pandemic and financial hard times, nefarious individuals steal catalytic converters and convert them into cash. Surprisingly, this illegal thievery exists in many countries.
As I pondered the demise of the Sequoia’s catalytic converters, I wondered about the ways the Holy Spirit moves as a precious catalyst within followers of Jesus. It struck me that the Holy Spirit acts similar to a catalytic converters in Jesus’ disciples.
Catalyst – a substance that increases the rate of a reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change; a person or thing that precipitates change or an event.
Like the catalytic converter transforms toxic gases from the internal engine into less-toxic pollutants, our unchanging God transforms the inner person by the power of the Holy Spirit. When an individual confesses Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit indwells their soul, offering the treasured gift of presence. The Spirit precipitates the work of transforming the internal beliefs and attitudes into those which reflect the heart and mind of God.
As the Spirit reveals sin within, conversion from toxic ways of living to pure holy living occurs. The Holy Spirit stimulates change within the soul and catalyzes connection with God.
What do you notice when you consider the Holy Spirit’s catalytic presence within your soul?
The Holy Spirit as Catalyst within our lives encourages and sustains us. Enjoy this acronym of all the Spirit offers as the catalytic converter in our lives.
The Holy Spirit – – –
Convicts the world of sin. The Spirit helps us see ourselves more clearly and invites us to confess our sin and find cleansing and communion with God. John 16:7-8
Abides within the soul. The Holy Spirit brings God’s presence into the lives of His followers by dwelling in believers and making home within them. 1 Corinthians 3:16
Transmits truth. Jesus affirmed that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth and make known what the Father speaks. John 16:13-15
Advocates for followers of Jesus. Comfort, help, intercession, and strength pour out from the Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. John 14:26, Romans 8:26-27
Lives within and eternal life becomes reality. We receive new life by the Spirit within and experience renewal and transformation. Romans 8:10-11
Yields good fruit and spiritual gifts. By the Holy Spirit, we become holy, bearing fruit that reflects the beauty and righteousness of God. The Spirit equips believers with gifting to enhance the body of Christ. Galatians 5:22-25, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
Seals us with revelation, wisdom, and power. The Holy Spirit provides the mark of belonging to God and supplies insight, discernment, and power to know God better. Ephesians 1:13, 17-20, 1 Corinthians 2:10-11, Acts 1:8
Teaches and reminds us. The Holy Spirit instructs followers of God in the ways to live like Jesus by the transforming power of God within the soul. John 14:26
How might the Holy Spirit catalyze transformation within your soul?
Ask the Spirit to convert all toxic thoughts, attitudes, and practices draining your life to life-giving, sustaining and godly ways of living.
Welcome and surrender to God’s internal work so that you peace and praise flow from you, pointing to the Lord, rather than pollutants that distract from seeing God’s transforming movement in your soul.
Reflect on the Holy Spirt as your “catalytic converter,” the catalyst within you – 😉
The Spirit Convicts, Abides, Transmits, Advocates, Lives, Yields, Seals, and Teaches.
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Drips from the Word: Muse about these Bible verses. Let these truths impact your living.
John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
Romans 8:26-27 – In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Splashes from the Spigot: Drink from deep wells. Read these recommended books to fill your soul.
Andrew Murray. The Indwelling Spirit: The Work of the Holy Spirit in the Life of the Believer Minneapolis, MN. 2006.
John MacArthur. The Silent Shepherd: The Care, Comfort, and Correction of the Holy Spirit. Colorado Springs, CO. 2012.
Sprinklings of Truth: Soak in meaningful songs. Check out these music videos to lift up your spirit.
Francesca Battistelli. Holy Spirit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoZd7ZXh9yY
Kari Jobe. Breathe On Us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PCT0P6zi_s