The Final Conversations with Christ- Part 8

When I was younger, I had a love for desserts (I still do). However, I was only allowed to have a dessert if I ate all my dinner. Often times, I would plead with my mom, begging her to let me have a cookie without finishing my meal. Her response would typically go something like, “Eat all your vegetables first,” or “You may only have dessert after you finish dinner.” Sometimes when I did not finish dinner, the mischievous side of me would sneak a cookie late at night when my mom wasn’t looking. After all, I wasn’t directly telling her no right? And I was SO hungry after (not finishing) dinner. I’m sure she would have wanted me to eat something!

Looking back on this instance, I can clearly see how it didn’t feel quite as bad eating dessert when I didn’t get caught. It didn’t seem as wrong when, after all, I was so hungry. However, there is no question that I knew I was ignoring my mother’s command to finish my dinner, and was deliberately disobeying her by eating the dessert without permission.

While I’d like to believe I’ve moved past this type of disobedience, I can’t help but wonder if I ever treat the Holy Spirit in this way. In John 15:26, Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as an advocate for God. The Holy Spirit is one who brings a sense of goodness, righteousness, justice, and understanding. The Holy Spirit is a direct extension of God, revealing what is right for the benefit of everyone. Likewise, when we are followers of God, the Holy Spirit will challenge us to do things that bring goodness. As my mom challenged me to eat vegetables as a child for my physical health, the Holy Spirit may ask us to do things that are a little uncomfortable for our benefit, as well as the benefit of those around us. However, how often do we hear the command of the Holy Spirit, then go off and do our own thing?

Just as I tried to internally justify disobeying my mom, we often try to justify ignoring the leading of the Holy Spirit. We may make excuses like, “Well, now is not the right time,” or “No, I don’t think that suits my personality.” Deep down, however, when we make excuses like this we are simply telling the Holy Spirit “no.” We are telling God, “no.”

Finally, sometimes we want the dessert without the vegetables. My mom did not challenge me to eat vegetables to torture me, but to help me gain physical health and grow. Likewise, the Holy Spirit doesn’t push us outside our comfort zone to simply make us uncomfortable. Rather, the Holy Spirit challenges us for our benefit, and for the benefit of those around us. It is when we begin to align our step with the Spirit that we may experience his blessings.

This week, I challenge you to consider your walk with the Holy Spirit. Are you allowing him to guide you, teach you, and direct you? Or are you simply seeking your will, hoping to be blessed along the way?

Written by: Tamara Sturdivant

Edited by: Jenelle Kelly