I don't know about you but I find myself not giving the Holy Spirit enough credit. More often than not I don't even think about it, let alone give it credit for stuff. It seems like we are missing out on the power and presence that is promised to those who follow Jesus through his Spirit. This is a Spirit that promises power and to empower, peace, courage, guidance, and direction. If we believe in the Triune God then we must recognize that the Holy Spirit that dwells within us is the very same Spirit that was and is God, that has been and will be for all eternity. We, I, have to start paying attention to the leading and moving of God's Spirit because it is the source of boldness, love and self-discipline (2 Tim. 1:7) that has the ability to transform people's lives. It is not only time to remember the Holy Spirit but live a life that responds to its leading.
The Spirit is God himself, a merciful power establishing his reign over man's heart, over the whole of man, inwardly present to man and apparent in his workings to man's human spirit.~The Church by Hans Kung
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"The greatest difficulty is to begin, to take the first step, to launch out into the depth of reality of God as revealed in Christ. Once we have left the shore of our own self we soon pick up the currents of reality that give us our direction and momentum. The more still and attentive we are, the more sensitively we respond to these currents. And so the more absolute and truly spiritual our faith becomes. By stillness in the spirit we move into the ocean of God. If we have the courage to push off from the shore we cannot fail to find this direction and energy. The further out we travel the stronger the current becomes, and the deeper our faith."
-I think of this meditation in relation to the Holy Spirit. We have to be still to listen to its leading. We have to trust and allow ourselves to be moved by the currents of the Spirit.If we think we can have a relationship with Christ by jumping in and splashing around, we are missing the most important thing we have been given. We have the connection within. We have to seek that which is within. There is our truth.
Anonymous: thanks for the read and comment. i really enjoyed your quote. i especially liked the idea of leaving "the shore of our own self", what a great reminder that it is not about me.
i couldn't agree with you more about the need to be still. i think solitude is the spiritual discipline i struggle with the most and yet have no doubt it would be the most helpful in allowing me to really be still. so many of us struggle with this concept of slowing down enough to really listen. in a culture of instant-gratification it seems like we have lost the ability to be patient, be quiet and trust.
"We have to trust and allow ourselves to be moved by the currents of the Spirit." another great image of allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and direct us.
thanks again for sharing your thoughts, this is some really good stuff. keep it coming!
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