Holy Spirit Power

Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
A few years before I started coaching football at Grinnell College, we had a Linebacker by the name of Marquis Bradley. In one particular game he got lit up by someone on the other team. Their coaches and fans began cheering loudly. Marquis got up, and yelled out, “you awoke the beast.” He became known as Marquis the Beast. The adrenaline inside him carried through to every game and practice. Marquis was successful at his defensive position. My first year coaching was his Senior year here. I’d seen him light many guys up on the field. One time in practice someone got Marquis’ number. This receiver lit Marquis up. Marquis got back to his feet and the Beast was released once again. He shouted, “Ok, here we go.” A little bit of him was humbled, but I also think he liked that his beast mode was becoming contagious on the team.
Marquis was truly a beast on the field. He hit guys harder than I’ve ever seen. He was fun to watch. But most of all I admired how he responded to getting knocked down, and then getting back up. There are many around us who have trained themselves differently than Marquis did. Some would have folded…thrown in the towel, but not Marquis. Marquis went into beast mode, not fold mode. Off the field Marquis is a solid believer who is on fire for the Lord. When the enemy attempts to knock him off his spiritual path he always responds correctly. Why? Because Marquis truly understands the power that comes only from the Holy Spirit.  
So someday when you’re poked, jabbed, pushed, nudged, drilled by the enemy…how will you respond? Stay down? Tap out? Or jump back up and allow that Holy Spirit power to see you through? Stay in the game and keep making a difference for Him and His glory.
Nate