Dwight L. Moody, the great Chicago evangelist of the latter 1800s, described people’s efforts to earn their salvation like a child on a rocking horse: “beautiful active motion, but there is no progress”.

In our basement, we have a treadmill that allows Anita and I to get exercise when the weather is inclement. All winter long we can take walks in the warmth of our own home. Our treadmill measures how far we’ve gone, how fast we’re going, and how many miles we’ve traveled. But a treadmill is like the rocking horse: beautiful active motion, but there is no progress.

Have you ever felt like you were on a spiritual treadmill, going around and around but getting no place? There can be no progress on a treadmill. Only when the breath of life from the Holy Spirit comes upon us can we move forward. I recognize my need every day.

How about you? Are you making progress or are you on the treadmill?

Tags: Holy Spirit, treadmill, works