I once heard someone say the Holy Spirit is like the Cousin Eddie of the Trinity—no one knows what to do with him. That analogy has stuck with me.
I also recall a Beth Moore study in which she elaborated on man's relationship with the Holy Spirit. The deepest parts of me were captivated as my eyes soaked in her predictive words about how a certain conversation may go with John the Baptist.
In response to the question, "What was it like to walk with the Son of God beside you?", she imagined John's response to be something along the lines of, "Incredible. But I must know—what was it like to walk with Spirit of God inside you?"
Uhh, good question, John.
Amazing. Infinitely amazing. Indescribable. Basically unbelievable. Definitely undeserving.
I mean, seriously. I'll speak for myself here—I'm no where close to being worthy of John the Baptist's presence, let alone God's. Still, the Great I Am chose us, unworthy sinners, to be His living temples. He's called us His friends. He's making us new. He fills us up with His love. He freely offers us grace, and He lets His glory shine through us.
Yeah, definitely undeserving.
I think if I could be a fly on the wall at any moment in history, I'd pick the Pentecost. Can you fathom being there—bearing witness to the very first time man was filled with the Holy Spirit?
If I was one of those guys, I think I would've stood there with a look on my face that only two words can describe: "like… whoa." (Someone translate that into Cretan Greek.)
But if I'm being completely honest, there are times I struggle with Cousin Eddie-ing the Holy Spirit. There are times when I think—for real? Do I really believe God lives in me, speaks to me, and guides my steps?
Then, the Spirit moves in my life… in some unexplainable, divine way and whispers—yes.
I was having an unbelieving moment last week during World Race training camp. I was striving and trying to do everything on my own… trying to be spiritual on my own. That's when He spoke.
Dwell.
Soon after, He pointed me to a place that's given me so much peace over the last several weeks: Ephesians 3:14-21. Paul is praying for the Ephesians, and in verses 16-17 says:
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through
his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."
For the first time, I noticed the word strength and thought to myself, "I have to be strong for You to dwell in me? But… I'm not feeling so strong right now…"
Less than 30 minutes later, my squad did a prayer exercise. I landed in front of my awesome German squad mate Jan (pronounced "yawn"), whose eyes were closed throughout the entire exercise. I placed my left hand on his right shoulder to let him know I was there, and he begin to pray.
After a minute or so Jan said, "I hear the word strength."
I wanted to crumble.
It was one of those moments when the unemotional, exhausted, calloused, hardened, cold "you" caves. And it caves so instantly that you can physically feel it in your chest. And you just want to cry. But you're not even sure why just yet—all you know is the Lord of all the heavens and the earth cares deeply for you. And He's talking to you through His Spirit. And you're reminded you're never alone. And you're just… relieved.
I think it's moments like this one that John the Baptist would've given anything to experience. The bring-me-to-my-knees kind of moments. The moments when we hear His Voice, His Truth, and His Thoughts in such a way that there's no denying His Spirit is alive in us.
understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by
human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
—1 Corinthians 2:12-13
In Him,
Julie
