Tag: Holy Spirit

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Plunging Into Faith

A woman wearing goggles underwater with her cheeks puffed out
Mark 5:28 (ESV)—For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”

It defies all logic that I love snorkeling. (1) I’m more like a sinking ship than a playful seal when in the water, and (2) my mind thinks breathing underwater an impossible feat (and rightly so)…thus, I cannot breathe through the snorkel.

To conquer this plague of the snorkel, I first death-grip a boogie board to float on the water and then I breathe in, hold my breath, and plunge my face into the water. Over and over again. Much like the woman with twelve years’ bleeding, who breathed in and held her breath repeatedly, hoping for healing every time she visited a doctor, only to still struggle.

Her healing came when, with faith, she plunged into the crowd, despite her ceremonial uncleanness. Believing the reports of Jesus’ healing power, she touched Jesus’ cloak, and when Jesus asked “Who touched my garment?” she came forward, trembling, and told him the whole “unclean” truth.

Like this woman’s, our plunge of faith allows us to breathe through the Holy Spirit. Without him, we can only hold our breath and hope. With him, we’re free to swim underwater without fear of choking or worse.

Truly, submerging our life in faith saves us from drowning in the disappointment of over and over again.

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Celebrating the Holy Spirit

The Front Bar at La Factoria in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. A bar lined with seats, a mirror on the back wall.
1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)—All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

At first, La Factoria seems to be a hole-in-the-wall bar, dimly lit with a few tables pressing against a side wall, a pair of booths along the back wall, and Latin music playing from the speakers. However, step back one room, and people sit at a wine bar, chatting while listening to percussive rhythms. Wander into the next room and dancers vie for a spot on the salsa-dancing floor while a live band plays. Roam through another door and dancers move to electronic beats in a night-club-like setting, and finally, venture through the crowds to the very last bar and find a more intimate setting with seating for ten.

Though each bar has its own rhythm, La Factoria as a whole “celebrates the mix of old and contemporary that defines Puerto Rico as a bridge between Latin and Anglo American cultures” (https://lafactoriavsj.com). Likewise, each spiritual gift, or “[variety] of service,” uniquely celebrates the Holy Spirit with “the same Lord” empowering each spiritual gift (1 Corinthians 12:5).

This bridge of empowerment of which Paul spoke connects believers to a community that celebrates the body of Christ. Indeed, our celebration of the Holy Spirit extols the glory of God’s plan and encourages others believers. Moreover, the body of Christ benefits each time we use our spiritual gifts.

So, whether we’re listening to music in a quiet room or salsa dancing on a black-and-white floor, our gifts laud the best of what the Holy Spirit has to offer us.

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Words of Affirmation: Fan the Flame

The talent of writing can fit into many spiritual gifts, and not every writer has the same spiritual gifts. Our words can teach about God’s word and provide encouragement. Our writing ministry can build the church and motivate others. We may have the ability to teach God’s Word and make it clear for others.

However, spiritual gifts can cause writer to feel fear and timidness. What if we don’t correctly discern God’s Word? What if our encouragement doesn’t reach the right person? What if my blog doesn’t have a large enough following?

These questions can be intimidating, but we have hope that God created us with a spirit power, love, and self-control. So, today, fan the flame of your writing and know the Holy Spirit is on your side.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)—for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
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Optimistic Yet Cautious Steps

Colossians 3:2 (ESV)—Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Snow covered the ground and icy slush threatened my footing. Not ideal conditions for standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon. But I had confidence in my steps because, one year after purchase, I finally slipped my feet into my ice cleats. And, wow, do they work—I ventured closer to the rim optimistic yet cautious, my mind set on a closer view and not on various slip-and-fall scenarios.

Putting on the new self is like slipping into ice cleats. The Holy Spirit gives us a newfound confidence in our identity in Christ, a traction that allows us to take optimistic yet cautious steps in the direction God intends—cautious yet optimistic because, as 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, we need to “be sober-minded” and “watchful” because “[our] adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” The devil lurks with icy obstacles that threaten our footing and make us stumble toward the rim.

We can combat the devil by setting our minds on “things that are above.” This gives us the confidence to navigate the ice and snow and establishes within us a relationship with the Holy Spirit and the knowledge we need to step with confidence toward our eternal reward.