It’s FRYday, aka my treat day! Meaning you can catch me after work today in the McDonalds drive thru getting a large Coca-Cola and some fries. Whatever it might be that brings you a little joy, maybe something as simple as a soda, do it girl. Having the opportunity to do whatever we want, within reason of course, makes me think about all of the freedoms we have now a days. One freedom that I had never thought of before was revealed to me this week in my studies – that is the Holy Spirit living within us, for those that are Christians. So for this week’s Faith Filled Fridays I am diving into the Spirit of God with us.
This week I was reading in the Old Testament where it discusses people having to go to the temple to speak with the Lord and experience his presence. Then I jumped to the New Testament and it mentioned that the Holy Spirit lives in us who believe in the Lord as their Savior. The connection of the two from the Old to New Testament is we no longer have to go to a particular place to speak with God or to feel his presence. By Jesus coming to earth and dying for us He granted those who believe in Him and invite Him in, an all access pass to the Holy Spirit. When I read that *mind blown* because I take for granted that I have JC within me at all times and I can call out to Him to settle my soul and instill His discernment.
Don’t you yourselves know that you are God’s temple and that the Spirit of God lives in you? – 1 Corinthians 3:16
Take a second and read this slowly – God lives in me – what does that statement mean for you? When I read these words there are two things that stick out to me. Initially, in everything I do I am serving as a representation of Him and the other is He is ALWAYS with me in highs, lows and everything in between.
The two themes that are prevalent to me when thinking about God being with us.
- Representing Christ – Being filled with the Holy Spirit means we are a walking billboard for Him. When we smile at someone at the store, use kind words in our interactions at work and even when we practice a slow to anger approach when talking to someone over the phone at customer service, we are representing Christ. I feel as Christians we should be exuding so much joy that it spills over to others. We know much better days are to come in Heaven so thinking of that makes it easier to have a smile in the middle of a storm. It doesn’t mean we won’t have bad days or moments but in those hard times we can speak with God and allow Him to serve as our Counselor and Rescuer.
- The Holy Spirit’s Presence: Think about that, we can talk and be in communion with God at any moment, I believe there is peace in this concept. Absolutely no human on this earth can be there for you at every second of everyday, but we don’t have to solely depend on people or things around us because we are filled with the Holy Spirit. He is the internal spirit that never disappoints, a voice of peace and conviction and ever-presently God with us.
What does being with God look like for you? My hope is that you marinate on the fact that the Holy Spirit is within you, as a believer, and lean into His presence.
-Warmly, Emily
