Momentum For Monday, August 9th 2021

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” (John 14:26)

One of the things I've tried to keep learning about is the Holy Spirit. When I say learning, I mean experience. While I am a student at heart and I do love to study, I truly have been trying to get away from reading and instead, lean into and learn about my personal relationship with the Holy Spirit.

I'll go ahead and put the disclaimer in here now. I'm not wanting to portray this nun or monk-like picture in this journey with the Holy Spirit. There's nothing fancy. No white lights beaming down on me from heaven. Nor have I heard an audible voice yet.  Instead, think of a toddler trying to learn to walk. And to be more exact, a chunky toddler that's frustrated when they fall and their legs get tired (then often gets distracted and starts crawling over to other things). No shame in this, I'm happy to learn.

But I'll be honest, I have questions. Do I really understand what Scripture means about the Holy Spirit's help and comfort? Or do I set the same expectations of experience that I get physically from other resources besides what is from God? Full disclosure though, I think I need to let God tear down some walls in me and allow him to dictate new parameters.

In learning, I've just been keeping it simple. Since He is the Helper, then I ask him to help me (in all areas of my life- including Jiu-Jitsu. I mean, why not?). Since He is the Advocate, then I ask to him to plead my case where I feel unseen or unheard (even if the feeling pertains to God not hearing or seeing me). Since He is the Comforter, then I ask for comfort in every place that threatens my security (even if it is piddly or ridiculous).

I don't always see results. I don't always get answers. But what has changed is how much I trust and rely on the Holy Spirit and I'll take that as a win any day.

So here's the ask: go about your normal schedules, but pray for a better awareness. Pull back a bit from where you would rely on others or even your own strength (or wisdom or grit or whatever) and lean into the Holy Spirit. Notice your insecurities and ask for the Comforter to secure you. Join me on this chunky toddler journey and let's learn to walk with the Holy Spirit well.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”

(Romans 12:1-2)