The Holy Spirit makes God’s power real to us and alive in us, turning doctrines into relationship.
Suddenly, sin becomes less about obeying the law and more about grieving a Person. Ultimately, the largeness of the Presence of the Father is what allows us to overcome our sinful impulses.
God said, “Let me ask you something. Why do you do what you do? For what?
To be someone? You are the Chosen Child of the Creator of the Universe. (1 Peter 2:9)
To be recognized? Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. (Jeremiah 1:5)
For approval? Praise? You have all of that in Me. (Zephaniah 3:17)
I am inviting you, Child, to rest in Me, where Time is Limitless, Grace is infinite, and my Love is greater still.”
Last night God asked me, “Why do you behave as though time is your master and you its slave? Worrying about when you will do this or finish that. Did I not create the sun to rise and the night to fall?
Indeed, I created time for you. Not the other way around. Time is precious if you use it wisely, but worthless if you let it use you. To know your days are numbered is wise, but to idolize your time is foolish.
So I ask of you, Child, as you go about your daily duties, will you remember me? Will you seek solace in my presence which transcends time? Better still, will you place your time in My Hands, so that My Good and Perfect Will may be done?”
Last night I was feeling overwhelmed with love for my dog, Buddy. I expressed this feeling to God. “I just love him so much!!” I said. He smiled, “I know you do. Your love for Buddy is a reflection of my love for you. Imagine how much more I love you! Hard to fathom, isn’t it?”
An overwhelming sense of peace washed over me, “I am in good hands.”
God continued, “Why don’t you try loving a person with the same sort of intensity that you love Buddy?”
“But, how?” I replied.
“Just try.” He answered.
“But,” I insisted, “My whole life revolves around him! How could I love people in that same way? It would take up too much energy. I would have no time.”
God replied, “Is there anything more important to spend your energy or time on?”
Wow. It hit me. We are called to love others. It is our mission. Our reason for being on Earth. And not just to love them halfheartedly either, when it’s convenient to us, for example. But to love them wholeheartedly, at all times, through all situations, no matter their actions or behaviors. This might seem like a daunting task but it’s natural when the Holy Spirit resides in you. This sort of love, relentless and all encompassing, is the kind that reflects God’s love for us. It is the kind that people most need to see. The kind that we need to be most intentional about showing.
It’s amazing to think about it. Jesus chose you first. He chooses you and then, you choose Him. God puts the Holy Spirit inside of you and then, in a moment of miraculous grace, He gives you the faith to call out to Him. And thus, begins your life long (and life altering) relationship with God.
Let’s not forget how it is in this way that we came to be in relationship with God. When you acknowledge this, you begin to grasp the depth of His love for you. You are chosen by God! Unconditionally loved by Him. You are special. Dwell in that. Let God be your valentine.
Remember… not everything that comes from heaven has your name on it.
If you have one foot in yesterday and one foot in tomorrow, you’re straddling today rather than living in it.
To me, writing has always come either in the form of Divine revelation, which floats off the tongue like air, or a purging of the soul, which vomits itself out of the pen and on to paper. Yet both are equally beautiful expressions of self. One being directly from God, the Holy Spirit who lives in us. And the other being indirectly from God, as my earthly mind struggles between what the world tells it and what I know to be True. In either case, writing has always had a spiritual element, which, whether floating or vomiting, ultimately serves to bring me closer to God.
Plenty of us pray regularly. We submit our requests to God and thank Him for our blessings. But how many of us really take the time to listen to what God has to say back? This takes practice and as aforementioned, time (something of which most of us believe we don’t have enough).
We spend our days engaging with the world, fulfilling our duties, and crossing items off our checklist. But we do ourselves a grave disservice when we don’t make the time to listen to God. We grossly underestimate the negative impact this can have on our lives. In what other relationship would we ask a person for something and then run off without hearing his/her answer? Remember, God became a Person for this very reason- so we, his beloved people, could communicate with Him! Communication is a two way street. And He loves talking to us just as much as He loves hearing from us. Don’t give God the short end of the stick.
“I’m asking God to give you a gift from the wealth of his glory. I pray that he would give you inner strength and power through his Spirit. Then Christ will live in you through faith. I also pray that love may be the ground into which you sink your roots and on which you have your foundation.” Ephesians 3:16-17