The Wonder of God

Series: Sacred Wind Blows

Acts 2: 2 ESV

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

The wonder of the Spirit of God came to me when I was twelve years old. I did not fully understand what had happened but I knew I felt the same way I felt the night I went to hear Billy Graham speak at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Kansas City is my hometown, and the home of my parents and my grandparents. My best memory of living in KC is the night Billy Graham spoke at Arrowhead. My life was forever changed that night.

Acts 2:2 tells us, “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.”

That is exactly what I felt the night the Spirit came to me and six decades after that night the Spirit is still my guide and constant companion.

The Spirit guides.

The Spirit protects.

The Spirit provides fruit. We know from Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

It’s been my experience that while we receive the fruit of the Spirit, always utilizing the fruit is a process of learning on our part. In other words, as I have matured in the faith my understanding of the Spirit has increased.

At a specific time in my life I struggled with patience. I learned to stop and listen to the Spirit. I learned to be silent. I learned to wait.

It seems like the greatest lesson the Spirit taught was how and when to ask for help. The Spirit helps me to know when I am struggling.

God the Spirit is present but it helps me to remember and embrace the presence.

When I stop and take seconds to get off the roller-coaster of life I recognize God’s presence.

Every time I stop and remember the great gift of the Spirit, I am overcome with gratitude. I remember what God has done for me in my life.

I remember the first time God the Spirit came to me.

I recall the long conversations I had with my dad about God and the Spirit.

I was in my thirties when my dad passed over the bridge from life to eternal life and I grieved his passing. Ever so carefully and gradually the Spirit guided me to maturity in the faith and reliance on the Spirit.

I grew up.

It took time but I remembered everything my dad taught me and I embraced the gift of the Spirit.

I remember the ten years I had the privilege of sitting with a highly trained Spiritual Director. He guided me and reminded me how to stop and turn to God, I learned how to wait and how to proceed under the guidance of the Spirit.

I know I am very blessed. I am not blessed with earthly wealth, but the blessings God gives me are so much more valuable than monetary blessings.

That’s because as I remain conscious of the Spirit, I am in God. There isn’t anything like God’s peace. And folks, money can’t buy that kind of blessing. It’s more rare than gold and what we call earthly precious stones.

It cannot be bought. But it can be sought by turning to God and asking for the gift of the Spirit through Jesus God.

So if you desire God’s love and peace, turn to God today and ask…

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com