I have asked (1) "How / when/ where does the Holy Spirit speak to you?"
(2) "How do you know it is the Spirit and not yourself speaking?"
These two questions, I believe, could be the start of a period of sharing for a group of people reflecting on their own experience of God. I believe the Spirit does speak to us at various times in our lives, perhaps not always audibly, but with some kind of gentle guidance. God is nothing if not subtle, so that we can always attribute His guidance to some other cause if we wish. Still, knowing that He does guide, lead, and teach us, and thus bringing the relationship into a conscious level on our part, helps us to be more attentive and receptive to His leading.
So the third question I want to pose is this: Why do you suppose the Spirit does speak to us?
As with the other two questions, the answers are varied and individual. This is not an exercise in looking for information or for a 'correct answer,' but rather a question posed to lead us into reflection and thus awareness of our own answers.
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Why are we subject to the whims of The Sacred Spirit? Because we, as humans, are endowed with this precious ability inside our souls. We, as uniquely endowed with this gift, are pilots who do have the ability to help steer the universe back to it's origins.
ReplyDeleteA sail is worthless without being unfurled and filled with the wind. The Sacred Spirit blows, but we have a handle on the rudder to guide where we are willing to go. It is our choice to stay dead calm in our fear of unfurling the sail or to put up the spinnaker to catch as much wind as we can.
Clearly, The Sacred Spirit does not speak to all equally. Humanity does many things to block this disorienting breath. There is a reason that the song says, "Every time I feel The Spirit moving in my heart, I'm afraid." When we become afraid, we do anything to hide from the fear, usually behind a comfortable ritual or habit.
The Sacred Spirit continues to move, sometimes in only a whisper of wind. It is a fact of all life that when we stop growing, we begin dying. We can choose when we spiritually do which, as long as we are open to movement.
God has always wanted a personal relationship with us.He intended with Adam & Eve to walk and talk with them as companions.
DeleteIt's all because of His great unconditional love for each of us. When I was young I loved God from a distance. I did not know I could have a personal relationship. Once I experienced Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit my whole life changed. You desire more and want to experience and learn all you can. I remind Him that He said, "All who hunger and thirst for the Lord shall have their fill". AMEN!