The Holy Spirit
In this week’s teaching at the Rising, we learned from the Bible more about the Holy Spirit. He appears in the Bible in Genesis 1:2. Jesus promises to send him to us in John 14:16-17 and speaks of the work of the Holy Spirit in John 16:26. The entire Bible includes references to the Holy Spirit.
Having been raised in a Christian household and having become a Christian at an early age, I’ve always understood that the Holy Spirit (or in Baptist churches, the Holy Ghost) was part of the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost.
However, I don’t think I really understood what that meant until somewhat recently. That knowledge was just something I grew up with, a truth little understood. During a retreat a number of years ago, the Holy Spirit awakened my heart. As I struggled with depression, he lifted me up. When I ran short on compassion, the Holy Spirit filled me with more. When I was angry over a betrayal, the Holy Spirit calmed me and led me through it.
In short, the Holy Spirit has been my conscience, my comforter, my compass true north. In John 14:16-17, Jesus promises his disciples that he will send us an advocate – the Spirit of truth – to help us and be with us forever, and that he lives in us. What a great reassurance that is in my less-than-perfect life!
“Accessing” the Holy Spirit is so simple. As Daniel reminded me this past Sunday, I just need to be quiet and listen. That little prick of conscience is his voice, reminding me to put down social media and engage in real relationships. That squeeze on my heart is the Holy Spirit reminding me to speak gently to my grandchildren, my children, my mom…my husband.
And opening my heart to the Holy Spirit has helped me become even closer to God my Father through constant conversation and prayer. Following the Spirit’s prompting to read the Bible everyday helps me become even closer to God the Son. Listening to his inner voice is leading me to look more deeply at God’s purpose for my life, which isn’t wasting time on phone games and Facebook! I’m finding myself posting less and living more.
I can’t wait to see where He leads me!