The Roar of the Pipes

I’ve always loved talking to people and hearing their stories. Recently, I found myself on a kick where I really wanted a motorcycle—specifically a Harley Davidson Iron 883. A friend had one, and it was amazing. Knowing my parents would likely say no, I decided to do my research. I went to a dealership to learn about price, safety, and maintenance.

There, I met a salesman who shared my interests in music, books, and even high school football. After talking motorcycles, he shared an intriguing fact: “Harley-Davidson motorcycles have a trademarked sound. No other motorcycle can replicate the distinct firing pattern and rumble of a Harley. You can get close, but it’s never the same.”

I didn’t think much of it until a conversation with a friend brought it back to mind. We talked about how the Spirit of God is similarly distinctive. You can try to replicate it with emotion, performance, or programs, but the genuine move of God cannot be faked.

The Spirit has a unique sound and feel—like the roar of a Harley, unmistakable and deeply moving. Think of those powerful prayer meetings where you feel drawn to your knees in awe. That’s the authentic presence of God. You might be able to fool others with eloquence or skill, but anyone who has truly experienced God’s presence knows when it’s real and when it’s not.

A while ago, I was struggling spiritually, masking my struggles with a façade of anointing. At a service, someone prayed over me and said, “God, give him back his anointing.” That moment pierced through my pretense. She knew what real anointing looked like, and she recognized that I was trying to fake it.

We can’t replicate the Spirit, but we can prepare the atmosphere for it. We can’t be the fire, but we can be the fuel. No amount of lights, music, or technology can substitute for the genuine move of God. These tools are great, but they can’t create life—they can only enhance it.

In Ezekiel 37, God showed the prophet a valley of dry bones. When Ezekiel spoke as commanded, the bones came together, covered in tendons and flesh. But they remained lifeless until Ezekiel said, “Thus saith the Lord God, breathe.”Only God’s breath could bring them to life—a foreshadowing of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

If we want the authentic roar of the Spirit, we must seek the real deal. What if we stripped away the distractions and focused solely on pursuing God? What if we stopped “playing church” and simply fell in love with Him again?

The Spirit of God is trademarked, unique to Him alone. Chase after it wholeheartedly, and you’ll find the authenticity your soul longs for.