Holy Spirit
Who’s He- The One in the Back Room
You might be surprised if you know me personally, because I’m so energetic and passionate, (that’s a nice way to say I’m loud and crazy)–but I was a very compliant child. I was content to stay home. I made mud cakes in a little muffin tin and baked them in the sun. I danced and sang on a large wooden box that had been washed and turned upside down, after my dad mixed concrete in it.
I played alone most of the time, but Mildred’s invitation to spend the night at her house was too exciting to pass up. Her mother’s attention to detail at the dining room table made a lifelong impression on me. I still say, “Everything taste better on a pretty plate–thank goodness—and that even includes burned food!” Wayne doesn’t always agree, but I just ignore him! LOL
Yet the greatest impact that visit made on me was in the room on the left, at the end of a long hall. You had to pass that room to get to the bathroom and Mildred’s room. The door was open, so without stopping I glanced inside. A man, the oldest, most wrinkled little man I had ever seen, sat in a chair at the end of the bed.
I half announced and the other half asked, “Who is that?”
I had met all the rest of the family. Mildred’s older, good looking, football star, dazzling brother, did I mention really good looking, older, but not too old for me—brother and her really nice parents. But she hadn’t even mentioned this man.
She answered with a tone that was saturated with finality, “That’s my grandpa.”
I didn’t dare ask any questions, but I had lots of them. He didn’t show up at the table. I never saw him in the living room. He was confined, I imagine by poor health, to his room at the back of the house. Mildred’s mom was a caring and loving caregiver, but Mildred stayed away from that room, at least while I was there.
She didn’t bother to return his wave when we passed. She looked the other way and hurried past the door opening anytime we passed.
I don’t know the story behind her actions, perhaps there was a reason for them. While I’m not her judge, it seemed that she was ashamed of her grandpa. She didn’t recognize that the wrinkles etched on his face where wisdom lines. (At least, that’s what I call mine!) Or that his trembling hands had once worked long hours to provide for a large family. She only knew he didn’t act or talk like she thought he should, so she was ashamed of him.
I could really go off on the subject of honoring the elderly, especially since I’m getting older, but that’s not where I’m headed. Honor is really an important virtue, so seize every opportunity to honor the elderly. Sorry, I digressed, because it really is an important value.
Not where I was headed…
But the thought that has echoed off the walls of time make me ask, have we done that with Precious Holy Spirit? Have we pushed Him into a back room, at the end of the hall, only leaving the door cracked open for an occasional glimpse? We don’t want to pretend He doesn’t exist, because deep in our belief system we have a category labeled with His name. Have we ignored Him instead of experiencing Holy Spirit in our everyday lives?
Afraid?
Yet, we are afraid of what He will say and what He will do if we let Him out of the prison—excuse my mistake, out of His nice little, comfortable room that we have reserved especially for Him.
Questions?
Have our questions, or the behavior of “super spiritual saints” or our desire to control things tainted the truth?
Controversy
Has our fear to maneuver among the mine fields of controversy left precious Holy Spirit out of our lives and services, leaving us powerless and impotent?
There has always been controversy around the subject of Precious Holy Spirit. It started immediately and it hasn’t stopped.
Acts 2:12, 13(The Message) Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?” 13 Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”
Yet that controversy should lead us to discover and experience the reality of precious Holy Spirit for ourselves.
Proverbs 4:7 NIV Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
We need the Word
I will be the first to agree that we need the Word, but we also need Precious Holy Spirit. The Word can only come alive as the Holy Spirit turns on the light so we can metabolize its truth into our spirits.
Truth is Hidden
God hides truths from us, like He hides gold in the earth. Not to keep us from them, but so we will pursue them with passion and fervor. I challenge you to take this season between Easter and Pentecost to go on a pilgrimage to know and to experience the presence of precious Holy Spirit in a new way.
I love you. It is my greatest desire to see you prosper and be in health even as your soul prospers. John (3 John 1:2) said it first, but that’s why I blog. That’s why I pray for all my readers. That’s why I want you to experience all that God has for you!
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