We hear a lot about being firm and steady, about digging our roots down deep so we can stand in any storm, but there are times we need to be moved. Are we sensitive to the Holy Spirit? Are we moved like leaves in the wind? The more we learn to respond to the Holy Spirit the more sensitive we become and the deeper our relationship with God grows.
It all starts and ends with prayer. If we want to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit we must be people of dedicated prayer. Prayer is not limited to a designated place or time. It's a lifestyle of prayer - our spirit is in constant communion with God. You can pray without speaking, without closing your eyes and bowing your head. You can pray throughout the day without anyone even knowing it. It's about connection.
What does being sensitive and moved by the Holy Spirit mean? What does it look like in everyday life? Being moved by the Holy Spirit in every day life means that we are responding to His desires. For me, I can be driving and get a feeling - I respond by praying. I pray for the person I'm thinking about. I pray about the imagine I see in my Spirit. Often times people see things in their imagination and they dismiss it as day dreaming or reminiscing or something natural when in fact it is a picture from the Holy Spirit. These pictures, feelings and sensations are nudges from the Holy Spirit, they are beckoning us to pray, speak, declare in behalf of someone or something.
God's best plans are often one prayer away from manifestation. You may be the only one to ever pray for that individual or situation. When you learn to be faithful with the small nudges your sensitivity increases and you find that you are moving more and more frequently under the influence of the Holy Spirit - one act of obedience at a time.
Other than feelings and images in our holy imagination, you may wake up from a troubling or encouraging dream. These things should be prayed about also. The Holy Spirit is always trying to communicate with us. As you grow, the Holy Spirit will develop spiritual habits in your life. For example, some people have a huge world map in their house. They pray over the map and the Holy Spirit leads them to pray about difference situation around the world. Others may get words of encouragement for co-workers and classmates and share it in a card or letter. Some, like me, write blogs, books, write songs etc. The possibilities are endless. The key is developing the ability to listen.
When I was younger I used to get heavy mood swings that would cause sadness or fear. I never understood. I'd try to figure it. Finally the Holy Spirit said, "Pray!" As I grew I realized these were not feelings part of me, they were prayer fuel. I was being beckoned to pray for a situation or person. As we mature we realize not all our feelings are our own. We are called to carry people's burdens and in order to pray more effectively sometimes we are allowed to feel what another feels.
As you become more comfortable with this you may even cry for others while praying. You may speak words that are hidden deep in their heart and hit the bull's eye in prayer. The depths we can go with God are endless. We help bring restoration to people when we allow ourselves to be moved by the Holy Spirit. The more we say, "Yes" and bend to the Holy Spirit the more sensitive we become.
No comments:
Post a Comment