We were asked to explore what "the Holy Spirit" is...how do we connect with this mysterious apparition? What does it sound like? Feel like? How do we know it's there... sitting next to us in the passenger seat on the way to work, or maybe next to us in Yoga class?
We are told to honor the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. And we know who the Father and Son are...but who or what exactly is "the Holy Ghost"?
I was in Ann Arbor yesterday for the Art Festival and I parked at Briarwood Mall to take the shuttle. I ran inside to Macy's to use the bathroom and there was a cute older couple in front of me. The woman reminded me SO MUCH of my grandma. How she interacted with her husband, her mannerisms, the way she smiled at me when she opened the bathroom door. I just FELT the presence of my grandma and it made me smile.
I feel like God gives us little glimpses of the people we lose to death... maybe a reminder of the joy they left behind or reassurance that their spirit lives on in the afterlife? Since we had a close, personal relationship with that person before they died, I think God also uses their spirit to get closer to us. God seeks a close, personal relationship with us every way possible. He loves us that much!
At my grandma's celebration of life last September we played the song "I can only imagine" and every time I hear it now I can "feel" her...wrapping her arms around me with a musical hug.
(excerpt from Starting Point) Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as the "counselor" that lives inside us. Even though Jesus is not visible, we can experience intimacy with God when we listen and follow the prompting of that still, small voice in our hearts. Our intimacy with God is not based on keeping a list of rules. As a member of God's family you have God with you...in you...as a still, small voice and powerful force. Thus living your life with God is simply a matter of following him whenever prompted. And while it's not the same as interacting with a visible person, we can learn to listen to God's spirit speaking into our lives.
"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, we are spiritual beings on a human journey".
-Stephen Covey
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