When my four kids were growing up, we took a trip to the bowling alley. My youngest daughter, Samantha, was at the age that if you placed a bowling ball in her arms, it was all she could do to hold it up. She was very hesitant to come out to the bowling lane. After much persuasion and coaxing, she finally consented, and in an abashed manner she came to me out on the floor. With her standing at the line of the lane, I gently placed the lightest bowling ball available in her young arms. Holding the ball, and with encouraging instructions, as she just stood there, she purposely dropped the ball to the floor for her “roll.” The ball, engaging with the slight slant of the bowling lane, slowly began to roll toward the standing pins at the other end of the lane. And, slow was the name of this game. It took forever for the ball to roll to the other end of the lane. First, I was amazed that it stayed in the middle of the lane (better than I could do!). Then, as it approached the pins, I was thinking, “Boy! That ball is going just right! Could it be that…” And as I continued to watch, I saw that ball gently nudge the front pins over, all in very slow motion, with each pin slowly and gently pushing against the other in domino fashion until every last pin fell over. That little girl made a strike the very first “roll” of her young life! Of course, she was applauded greatly and repeatedly, with her carrying the expression in her abashed innocence, “Well, that’s what I was ‘sposed to do, wasn’t it?” In Zechariah 4: 6 it tells us the “house of the Lord” is built not by the might and power of man, but by the Spirit of the Lord. The “house of the Lord” consists of people who know and follow the Lord. It takes the Spirit of God in and upon us for us to accomplish God’s work in the earth. Jesus demonstrated that it was by the Spirit. The early church demonstrated that it was by the Spirit. Once the people were filled with the Spirit and “rolled” in that power, three thousand souls were saved. Signs and wonders were performed in the ministry. Healings flowed like a river. Later, five thousand more people were converted to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, going from being good Jews, to followers of Jesus. It did not depend on the strength and ability of the people in themselves. It did not depend on extensive religious and theological education. It did not depend on slick and polished programs. The power was inherent in the ball itself—the power is in the Spirit Himself. The key is to receive the ball and drop it to the floor. Receive the Spirit. Then, turn Him loose. Allow Him to have His way in our life and ministry.
Turn the Ball Loose!
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