Through [Jesus] you, also, are being built in the Spirit together with others into a place where God lives. (Ephesians 2:22 GW)
Earlier this week I was in a conversation with an older gentleman, new to the church, and we were sharing parts of our life stories and testimonies. In the course of the conversation I remembered again how many different church settings I’ve been in throughout my life. Here’s a list of those where I’ve spent at least a year:
Small town United Methodist led by pastor from Asbury Seminary
Small town United Methodist led by pastor from Yale Seminary
Small rural Presbyterian led by a Brethren pastor
Large city Assemblies of God
Small city Disciples of Christ
Wealthy suburban “Frozen Chosen” United Methodist
Poor inner-city multi-ethnic United Methodist
Large Reformed Church of America
Large Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
Small, rural Evangelical Covenant
Large non-denominational “cool” evangelical church
Medium-sized Word of Faith/Charismatic/Pentecostal
Although the list may seem like a strange collection of denominations, theologies, and experiences, in each of them God taught me and grew me. As I look back, I recognize the strong and sure foundation of faith built on the Word of God within the contexts of these (mostly) loving communities. In greater and lesser ways, each of them shaped who I am today. I would not have designed a life-path that put me in all these settings, but God knew exactly what he needed me to learn in each one.
I also recognize that I was drawn to others in the congregations who most embodied the Holy Spirit. Looking back, I can see their faces, remember their smiles, and hear the encouraging words and wise counsel of those guided by the Holy Spirit. While all believers have the Holy Spirit within them, to varying degrees, our capacity to embody the Holy Spirit grows as we get to know God better and surrender our lives more fully to Jesus. These beautiful and godly individuals helped me on my faith journey because they were led by the Holy Spirit. Their example sparked a hunger in me for more of that Spirit.
When I was younger in my faith, I could only hold so much of God’s Spirit, but as I’ve grown spiritually and overcome more of my flesh, I’ve become able to hold more of the Spirit. I haven’t completely conquered all my struggles, but I do recognize that more and more of my life aligns with the Fruits of the Spirit. Lately I have recognized myself as more peaceful, a claim I make only because I know the God of Peace who lives within me has released me from fears and wounds.
May the Holy Spirit continue to invite and compel us to grow deeper in our relationships with God and others. May we sense his leading in all that we do. May we know beyond a shadow of a doubt his guidance, and may our lives be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Spirit of the Living God,
You are our Healer, our Comforter, and our Guide. You bring us to places we didn’t know we would need to go, and then you show us more of your heart and your power. Thank you for continually pulling us to new and deeper places in our faith, and for bringing into our lives a growing capacity to embody you. Thank you for the Spirit-lead believers whose love and encouragement help propel us on our faith journeys and show us what it’s like to walk with the Lord. Fill us with all joy and peace in our believing, strengthen us with the Holy Spirit’s power, and fill us with the fullness of God. We ask in Jesus’s name, AMEN.
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. (Galatians 5:22-24 AMP)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13 AMP)
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52 AMP)