Open to the Spirit
Are you open and available to God’s Holy Spirit?
The Song of Deborah (a prophetess) in Judges 5:2 says, “the people willingly offer themselves”. That statement makes me wonder just how much we make ourselves available not only to the Spirit, but to God.
Judges 3:10 speaks of Othniel, Caleb’s younger brother and that “The Spirit of the Lord came upon him”. When was the last time you felt the Spirit come upon you? Was it during praise and worship? During the quiet of your morning devotion? While reading scripture? As a participant in a prayer group? Was your heart available?
Our lives are insanely busy, and our time with God often ends up on the short end of the stick. Choosing to have quiet time with him, often will result in us hearing his voice. Not an audible voice but hearing him clearly in our hearts and minds. That is the Spirit speaking.
Vulnerable to the Holy Spirit
In my writing I estimate that 99% of the time my inspiration is the Holy Spirit. People ask all the time where I got the idea to write about something, and they often look at me funny when I say it just sort of popped in my head. That’s code for the Spirit. Saying it popped in my head is easier for some folks to digest.
Writing about our stories, journeys, and relationships can be a sort of balm for our souls. We are choosing to make ourselves vulnerable to the world when we publish our words. Being open to the Holy Spirit is similar; we are being vulnerable to our father in heaven, asking and then allowing him to fill these broken clay vessels.
Most people would admit that being vulnerable feels scary. My heart is willing to take the risk because of my trust in Jesus, and the foundation already built inside. I want to seek everything God has for me, including the power of the Holy Spirit. I want it all. I don’t know about you, but I need it to survive, discern, and respond to the calling placed on my life. And, of course, I need it—I need him—to write.
What does the Bible say?
Without sticking my big toe into any sort of doctrine (well, maybe just a little), let’s discuss the Holy Spirit for a moment. Acts 2 speaks about that important day of Pentecost with the apostles in the upper room, with mighty wind and tongues of fire coming down as they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. It was the start of the Church.
The moment a person is saved or converted the Spirit is given and takes up residence, giving gifts to build up the Church, understand scripture and to discern God’s will.
So how do we become open and available to God and his Spirit?
Just ask.
You may think that sounds way too simple. It really isn’t, we are the ones making it complicated.
Dear Jesus, I pray you would make yourself known to every person who reads these words. Pour out your precious Holy Spirit upon each of us, that we will feel your power to accomplish great things in your name. Give us the discernment we need to speak up and say what you want us to say. May we be bold as we share our faith with those you place in our paths. We want to have open hearts to receive everything you have to give. In your precious name we pray. Amen.