Flip the Switch
I live in a two-story house. It is constructed in such a way that the staircase leading to the upper level is in the center of the home. Underneath the staircase is a small space with a door and a light switch that I have chosen to use as storage for overflow from my kitchen pantry. The other day, I opened the door and flipped on the light because I needed a carton of vegetable stock. It occurred to me how grateful I was for the light, and smiled at the thought of how silly it would be to try to find what I needed in the dark. It would be a waste of my time and energy when the power for light is right there at my fingertips! Then it occurred to me how often I forget that the power of the Holy Spirit dwells with me and in me (John 14:17). Just as this little “storehouse with power” is in the center of my home, so my soul is at the center of my being and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It was humbling to consider how often I try to navigate the inevitable temptations, struggles and trials of life under my own feeble power.
By the power of His Spirit, Christ was raised from the dead (Romans 8:11). Jesus told his disciples in John 14:16 that the Father would give us “another Helper, that He may with you forever.” Below is sampling of verses that describe the character of the Holy Spirit and what He does for us.
“And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on Him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and strength, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.” (Isaiah 11:2)
“Where can I go from Thy Spirit? Or where can I flee from Thy presence?” (Psalm 139:7)
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” (John 6:63)
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.” (John 14:26)
“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” (Acts 9:31)
“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
“And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (2 Cor. 3:17)
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” (2 Cor. 13:14)
“That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16)
I put key words in bold to demonstrate that the Holy Spirit provides everything we need for life! The Spirit of Truth (not social media or mainstream media) teaches us about who He is, who we are, and how we are to live. If we don’t know and understand the truth, we remain in the headlock of the bondage of sin and fear. He is the Spirit of Freedom – freedom from guilt, shame, and fear. Just because we have been freed from our sin and can walk in newness of life doesn’t mean that we won’t continue to encounter trials and challenges along the way. It is in the process of struggling through these trials that the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) is grown in our hearts. His Spirit dwells with us and in us, providing abundant comfort and guidance, as He sanctifies us to become more and more like Him. We are instructed to walk in a manner worthy of our calling (Ephesians 4:1) and that can only be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit who freely gives us all things (Romans 8:32).
Have the struggles and challenges of life worn you down? Do you need a “carton of comfort” or a “can of strength?” Do you need a “bag of wisdom” or a “box of truth?” Weary traveler, remember the power of the Spirit who dwells with you and in you, and flip the switch! Trying to live life in your own strength and wisdom is akin to trying to find a box of vegetable stock in a dark pantry. It saps your energy, wastes precious time and may yield a result you hadn’t anticipated. The light and power of His grace, truth, comfort and strength fills your soul, is always available, and will illumine your path and guide you through.
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:2-3)
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