As We Approach Pentecost, Are You Walking in the Holy Spirit?

The question above has had a whole lot more meaning to me ever since I met Bob Neff back in 1990 when I was serving as an assistant pastor in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area. I have felt very blessed and privileged to have known Bob. He died many years ago, but he lived a whole lot longer than any of his doctors thought he would.

At around age 16, while Bob was swimming and diving, he injured his neck and spinal cord very badly—so badly he became a quadriplegic. Bob, as a teenager, took his last step. How tragic and devastating for one so young and vibrant!

Nevertheless, the human spirit is often very resilient and dynamic. Bob didn’t give up on life as he did his best to make a very bad situation as palatable as possible. Bob didn’t lie around always feeling sorry for himself—he accomplished much. In the course of time, Bob became a TV technician back when it was a viable profession. He also owned a local pool hall for a number of years and was well-known and well-liked in his community. Most everyone was inspired by their contact with Bob Neff.

A person can’t help wondering how they would react under such dire circumstances.

And that brings me back to the question posed above, “As we approach Pentecost, are you walking in the Holy Spirit?” Bob had to give up walking physically, but more importantly from a spiritual perspective he learned to walk in the Spirit!

In the course of time, God called Bob to a knowledge of His awesome truth regarding salvation and eternal life in an amazing Kingdom where there would no longer be sorrow, pain, tears, or crying. The message of the gospel of the Kingdom of God resonated in Bob Neff as he, perhaps more than any of us, longed for a huge change in his life. Bob longed for the time when he would not only walk again, but for a time when he would no longer be restricted by anything physical.

Bob died in 1995 at the age of 58. It is quite remarkable—indeed miraculous—that someone would live for 42 years as a quadriplegic. You may remember Christopher Reeve, who became a quadriplegic after being thrown from a horse. Previously, he had become famous for his acting role as Superman. He lived only nine years after his accident and died at the age of 52.

As a young minister, I was personally very inspired by my contact with Bob Neff. I truly believe that I benefitted most from our visits. Bob greatly appreciated our time together and in 1994-1995 we really had a lot to talk about regarding the truth and Scripture.

Bob, perhaps more than any other person besides my wife, taught me just how important it is to walk in the Spirit!

I will likely write more about “walking in the Spirit” in the next eNews. In the meantime, let us all strive to walk in the Spirit, by being more loving, more joyful, more peaceful, more willing to suffer long and be patient, more gentle, more good, more faithful, more meek and humble, and more self-controlled!

Wishing you all a very rewarding and inspiring Sabbath!