Do you underestimate God’s Holy Spirit? I think we all do to some extent. Otherwise, we’d be much more excited about this Comforter, Defender, Energizer, and Loyal Friend of ours who lives within us. Pentecost is a wonderful time to examine our relationship with the Spirit of Holiness. Do we let her close enough to spiritually stretch us and get us out of our comfort zone? If we want to grow in faith, we need to give the Spirit of God permission to do whatever he wants with us. You see, the Spirit living within you needs room to roam. Then you would have Pentecost every day.

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. (Romans 8:11, NLT)

Another thing that increases your faith is to be more aware of the Spirit living within you. We might take his presence for granted and forget that God has given us his peace and presence through the Holy Spirit. How can we be more aware then? By listening, making more room for the Spirit to take over our lives. And, of course, by praying.

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezekiel 36:26-27, NLT)

The Spirit living within you

Life with the Holy Spirit is the best there is. Yet we often bypass it. We tend to think the work of the Holy Spirit is out of the realm of possibility. The sad thing is then we turn our backs on God’s amazing gifts. And we don’t want that, do we? Because the work of God’s Spirit is indeed out of the realm of human possibility. But God is in the business of impossibilities. Because they are within his realm of possibilities. He comes even through the closed doors.

So let’s open our hearts to the Spirit of God and his possibilities. They are beyond wonderful. As children of God, we are not bound to earthly limitations, we are welcome to God’s realm of possibilities. Hence our spiritual imagination needs stretching to create more room for the Spirit of holiness within us. But it’s all good. God knows what he is doing. And he is excited to show each of us what he can do if we let him work in and through us according to his loving plan.

I am all in. How about you? At least, I do want all God has for me. Do you let the Holy Spirit stretch you and change you and use you for his glory? I think this is a no-brainer. As God’s children, we want more of God and the Spirit of Holiness. Without him, we can’t progress in holiness. But with him, only the sky is the limit.

Come, Holy Spirit!
Change us as you see fit.
Stretch us and make room for you.
Show us what you want to do with us.
Empower us for victorious living.
In Jesus’ name, we pray,
Amen

P.S.

Isn’t it wonderful how God provides us everything we need? First, he sent his Son to save us. Then he gave us the Spirit living within us so we will be well protected, guided, and helped. We are blessed indeed. How special it is to converse with our Maker on daily basis. He loves us and he will see us home safely. Big and bountiful Pentecost blessings to you!

Written by Mari-Anna Stålnacke