HIS SPIRIT

“Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ…

He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hands of his beloved Son…”   Ephesians 1:5-6 MSG

God’s Gift of HIS SPIRIT

Advent Sunday 3

“Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.” Ephesians 4:30 MSG

I’m trying to get my mind around this…

I can imagine God’s Spirit like a rushing wind, a swirling vapor, or a fiery flame burning with light and warmth and power.

I can ask God for his Spirit to bring power, healing, comfort, creativity, and wisdom to a difficult situation, an important event, a hurting friend.

I can feel his peaceful, inspiring Spirit surround me when I pray and sing and write.

Around me. With me. Yes.

But wait.  

“His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing IN you…”

IN me?

His power, healing, comfort, creativity, and wisdom–these are gifts He places INSIDE of his people. The actual Spirit of our living God moving and breathing in us, making us fit for Him.

What do we even do with a gift like this?

First, we thank him.

Then, we take a deep breath of him. Anytime, anywhere, every chance we get.

And we move with him. We listen, we respond, we pray, we forgive, we worship, we keep going, we step out in faith knowing for sure that he is in us.

We might not understand what he is doing much of the time. We might not have any idea of the spiritual battles he fights and wins for us. We might not realize how much we need the people he places in our lives–or how much they might need us. We might not dare to believe how completely he can restore our broken places and heal our wounds. We might not completely trust that his love for us is boundless and that nothing is impossible for him.

But whether we understand it or not, his Spirit lives in us. Breathes in us. Moves in us.

Whatever place you are in–whatever situation, emotion, or decision you are struggling with–he is more than with you. He is IN you. Take a deep breath of him and let his spirit refresh and strengthen you. Let him take your hand and move you forward. Trust him to do his redeeming work in your heart and mind and make you fit for himself.

“May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it!”   I Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV

Enter into the Celebration:

Thank you, Jesus, that you came to live for a while on this earth. I’m so grateful that when you rose to Heaven, you left with each one of us the gift of yourself. I am overwhelmed with the gift of your Spirit–not just around me or with me, but in me. Making me fit for you.

I might not be able to get my mind around how your Spirit works, but I know that you are amazing and surprising and always bringing good. This power and light and love that you’ve placed inside my heart and mind is practical, real, and available right now. I don’t want to grieve you by refusing or ignoring this gift of your Spirit. Please help me to unwrap it and enjoy it– breathing in, moving with, and bringing glory to you. Amen.