An upfront disclaimer: I am no saint, I am no spiritual giant, and I really don't know what I'm talking about, but as a seeking, learning, follower of Christ I want more: to become more engaged in my relationship with Christ, becoming more spiritually mature, and knowing in greater depth my Heavenly Father. A favorite place of mine in the Bible is Jesus telling us "Ask and it shall be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened". My journey continues to come back to these words framed as "Ask for what, look for what, what door will be opened"? We are offered something difficult to grasp and even harder to realize. This "it" that Jesus tells us to ask for and look for goes beyond and in spite of our physical existence and transcends this world. So what does it take, what do we do to find this treasure?
Acts 2:38 is a well-known and often cited scripture with a mysterious promise at the end. "And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit". 1 Corinthians 2:12 clarifies by saying "What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us."
The gift of the Holy Spirit given us the moment we accepted Christ is His built-in guide. The Spirit of God is our companion, confidant, and mentor placed within us by God to help us in our life-long journey of asking, seeking, and knocking. It is His gift to us providing a never-ending box of chocolates to be discovered, opened and enjoyed one at a time.
However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard,and what no human mind has conceived”—the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. I Corinthians 2: 9-10
A step on this journey of greater maturity and relationship is recognizing the Spirit of God is with us and available to us. It is understanding our job is to follow the Spirit, allow the Spirit to control our thinking, and to lead us (Romans 8). Placing ourselves in the position of belief to hear with spiritual ears and see with spiritual eyes is the work God calls us to. That work, and it is hard work, is to make ourselves available, carving out time, tuning in, being open to what the Spirit of God has for us. It is realizing He speaks for us, steps in for us, does what we cannot do in our relationship with our Father. It takes effort, intentional planning, discipline, and a commitment born from faith that He will show up.
Living in a world that glorifies and rewards the physical makes being Spirit led difficult. More than difficult it is a spiritual war. Our enemy has the stratgey of subtle sabotage and at times direct attacks to keep us from finding this path and for sure from continuing on it. Recognizing we are in a war is a crucial part of winning the daily battles that allow us to continue following where the Spirit of God leads us. Choosing His will over our own is part of the spiritual warfare we fight each moment and though God chose each of us long ago He leaves the option to choose Him or choose our own desires. Being Spirit led is over-riding rational actions, taking steps we woudn't normally take, acting on His prompting, not questioning, not over-analyzing and not trying to figure out the end results. It is throwing out what I thought I knew and beginning anew. Following His leading is the point. Steps of faith and trust. Living in this way leads to an obedience founded not in duty but in desire and a daily anticipation of the spiritual versus physical rewards. Living in this way connects us with the Spirit of God with great power. It transforms us to know what we are asking for, what we are seeking, and what door we long to enter through.
Father, you have done everything to make my relationship with you perfect. All I have to do is follow your lead. Thank you for your Spirit.
Scotty Elston
Shallowater, Texas
Shallowater, Texas
