Twas the night before Thanksgiving, and all through my house is food that hasn’t been prepped – the end. It’s the holiday season, and we’re all cooking and spending time with loved ones! I considered not sharing a post this week, but I received so much positive feedback from my last post that I thought why slow down. Last week, I talked about 4 ways to gain spiritual strength in the analogy of working out. They were all reasonably traditional steps that are VERY IMPORTANT and should not be left out, but there are also ways to build a relationship with God that seems a bit more interactive and personal. This week I’m sharing 4 unconventional ways to spend time with the Holy Spirit. Let’s get into it.
Awareness. Sometimes, we’re skeptical of how personal or person-like our relationship with the Holy Spirit should be. We question, does the Holy Spirit actually want to spend time with me? The answer is, He can’t help but spend time with you. He lives with you. Literally, the bible declares that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. That means that the body you occupy as your own is also home to the Holy Spirit, once you have received him by accepting Jesus Christ as your savior. That means everywhere you go, everything you do the Holy Spirit is present. He doesn’t just want a relationship because he’s “stuck” with you, but he also plays a significant part in our lives as the one who counsels us, helps us, convicts us, empowers us and guides us. All of these attributes can be found of the Holy Spirit in the bible. But for him to act on those attributes in our lives, we must build a relationship with him. One way to spend time with him is to become aware of him and acknowledge that He is ever-present with you.
Music. Music is a powerful tool. Music can evoke so many moods and memories in the most effortless way. Have you ever listened to a song, and in your mind, you’re no longer in the car you are now in the music video, or you’re in the club, or on stage singing your heart out. You start to express the words with a body language that wasn’t so prominent before;). I’ve done it too. Just the way a song can take you many worldly or memorable places it can also lead you into the atmosphere of the Holy Spirit. Try getting alone laying the floor and resting to peaceful Gospel music or scriptures. The point here is not to fall asleep but to wait on the Holy Spirit. As you quiet your rushing thoughts and the urge to hop off the floor, pay attention to what you feel, and what you hear in your mind (or audibly some people have heard audible voices). Allow the Holy Spirit to rest with and upon you.
Creativity. What do you have a creative gifting for? What don’t you have a creative gifting for? Do it anyway for God. David, the Psalmist, was clearly a poet, a musician, and at some point, he even danced before the Lord. This may sound awkward, but try writing a poem or singing a song to God. Whether it’s not the best rhyme or it wasn’t sung in the best key, the Holy Spirit still receives it as a special gift from you. Personally, I love playing Gospel music and just dancing in my apartment. It would probably be really embarrassing for others to see, but I don’t care. The Holy Spirit will see this performance, no matter what!
Talking. I have saved the best for last. Talk, chat, and talk even more to the Holy Spirit. Talk with him about things that make you happy, sad, frustrated, intrigued, excited, etc.. Ask him questions about his likes, dislikes, his word, about yourself – anything. He does answer! In my car on the way to work, I make an attempt to have a dialogue with the Holy Spirit from a range of how my day will go to “Do you like this song Holy Spirit?”. It has helped my relationship with the Holy Spirit tremendously because though I still see Him as one that I worship, I also see Him as one that is invested me and see’s exactly what I have going on in my little life. Because I speak with him, I am assured from experience that he wants to hear all about it and help me through it. That is so comforting.
It is safe to say that the Holy Spirit thinks of you as Jesus thinks of you. Jesus said, “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant, does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15. You are friends with the Holy Spirit. He desires to be closer to than a brother. Ask him how to cultivate your friendship and wait for the ideas to come. You may feel that you need to read the bible more. Do it! You may sense that you need to sit at the beach and listen for him speak the waves rush and slow. Whatever it is, do it and get closer and closer to Him. He is present, and he is waiting. Have a Thanksgiving everyone be thankful for all God has done for you and those you love! I’m off to prepare yummy foods.
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