Held Steady by Love, Not Surges of Emotion
The grip of Christ’s love steadies us when emotion fails.
Devotional Credit:
T. Austin-Sparks – Open Windows: God’s Purpose in All, Chapter 1
Photo Credit:
Photo by Unsplash
T. Austin-Sparks invites us to peer through a window—not into theory, but into the living reality of Christ’s surpassing beauty. He draws from Galatians 5:7 to highlight the Galatians’ passionate start in the Christian race, only to be hindered mid-run. Their downfall? They were fueled by emotion instead of the sustaining love of Christ made real through the Holy Spirit.
Emotion, in and of itself, is not the problem. Sparks isn’t rebuking zeal but warning us against mistaking temporary passion for enduring power. Many begin their Christian walk with fervor and excitement, moved deeply in response to a stirring message or emotional experience. But emotion, by nature, fluctuates. The Galatians had received the gospel enthusiastically, but when the emotional high wore off and hardship came, they stumbled.
Sparks turns our attention to the difference between human emotion and divine love. Our natural enthusiasm cannot carry us through trials—but the love of Christ, made real in us by the Holy Spirit, can. He underscores this with the word “constraineth” from 2 Corinthians 5:14, which has the weight of being held fast or even arrested. The only way to endure the spiritual race is not by fueling it with our temporary feelings, but by yielding to the unshakable grip of Christ’s love.
When that love arrests us—grips us deeply within—it doesn’t ebb and flow like emotion. It holds us steady, not for a season, but through every season. The message is simple and freeing: emotional surges may start a race, but only Christ’s Spirit-empowered love sustains it to the finish.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, you were never meant to run by the energy of your emotions. I did not call you to begin in the Spirit only to strive forward in the flesh. Your emotions may rise in worship or fall in hardship, but My love in you remains unmoved. I do not ask you to create passion—I ask you to abide in Me.
When you first heard the truth, your heart leapt with joy. That was not wrong. But what will keep you moving forward is not that initial leap—it is My Spirit within you, reminding you of My love, even when you feel nothing at all.
You are no longer your own. I have united you with Christ, and the love that compelled Him to the cross now compels you—not as a force from the outside, but a life within. I do not grip you in fear, but with love. Not to trap you, but to hold you steady, even when your soul would waver.
When pressures come, or discouragement whispers that you’ve lost your edge, remember this: I do not measure your race by your emotion, but by your resting. When you yield to Me and trust My indwelling Life to run in you and through you, then you will find yourself running well—not in your own effort, but by My grace in motion.
Let My love be your anchor when you want to quit. Let My peace carry you when your joy fades. I will not let you go. I will not run ahead of you or fall behind. I live in you to complete what I began, and I do not tire. So stay in step—not by might, not by power, but by My Spirit.
Scripture References:
Galatians 5:7; Galatians 3:3; Romans 5:5; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Matthew 13:20–21; John 15:4–5; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Corinthians 9:24; Romans 8:11; Galatians 2:20; Romans 6:4–11; Zechariah 4:6
Real-Life Analogy
It’s like running a marathon with a cup of coffee instead of a deep reserve of nutrition and hydration. Coffee might give a quick jolt at the starting line, but it’s no match for the miles ahead. You need something that won’t fade halfway through—you need sustained nourishment.
In the same way, emotional surges can jumpstart our faith journey, but only the life of Christ within—the indwelling Holy Spirit—can carry us mile after mile.
When a friend forgets your kindness, or work drains your joy, or grief hits without warning, you don’t need to whip up a feeling to keep going. Instead, simply trust: “Lord, I yield to You in this moment. Be my steadiness. Express Your love in and through me right now.” That posture—one of trust, not self-effort—will allow Christ’s unchanging love to carry you when emotion cannot.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, I thank You that I no longer have to rely on my own emotions to stay faithful. You’ve given me something better—Your Spirit living in me, gripping me with the love of Christ. When the joy fades or the fire cools, Your presence holds firm. I trust You to keep running this race in me. I don’t have to stir up anything; I just need to rest in Your love, and let You carry me forward.
I praise You that I’m not running alone. I am in Christ, and Christ is in me. You are the energy. You are the endurance. You are the finish line. Amen.