Empty Shoes

Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens

READ: ROMANS 5:5; 8:1-2, 8-11; EPHESIANS 1:13

Imagine you saw a pair of shoes walking down the street without anyone wearing them. You’d probably think it was some uncanny new technology or an elaborate prank, right? Obviously, shoes need to have a wearer to move around. They can’t move by themselves. It’s only when someone puts their feet in those shoes that they can move and run and dance.

That’s kind of like what the Holy Spirit does for us. Without the Holy Spirit, we’re all like empty shoes. Lifeless. Or, as Ephesians 2:1 puts it, dead in our sins. But when Jesus comes to dwell in our hearts through His Holy Spirit, He makes us alive spiritually. Just as no shoe will move without someone moving it, no person will have spiritual life without God’s Holy Spirit living in them.

Until we receive the Holy Spirit, we can’t walk in step with Jesus. But once we put our trust in Jesus, believing He died and rose again to save us from sin and give us new life, His Holy Spirit indwells us (Ephesians 1:13). The Spirit helps us run and dance and follow after Jesus. How beautiful is that? God’s own presence dwells in our very bodies. As 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” The Spirit fills us with abundant life and peace, and moves us to do the good things God has designed us to do and tell others the good news about Jesus.

If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, He has given you new life through His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings God’s presence, guidance, and comfort into your life, and transforms you to become more and more like Jesus. And that’s worth dancing about! • A. W. Smith

• Jesus is the only one who can give us life. If you have questions about what it means to put your trust in Jesus and receive the Holy Spirit, who is a trusted Christian you can talk to? You can also learn more on our "Know Jesus" page.

• If you know Jesus, can you think of any ways you’ve seen the Holy Spirit’s work in your life? Consider taking a moment to thank God for this.

• If you want to dig deeper, read Acts 9:31; Romans 8:15; 15:13; Galatians 5:16-25; Ephesians 2:1-10; 3:16; Colossians 1:9; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 3:3-8.

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)