As I raised the blinds in the master bedroom, I looked out to see such commotion on the lake this morning. We arrived late last evening, unpacked and crashed before heading to bed; excited about our four days of relaxation and refreshment. Our friend’s lake house is always a welcome refuge for us. We love the calming effect of the water! But, this morning was anything but calm. Looking out the lake seemed overloaded with activity, similar to my life at times! There were three barges, several fishing boats and a paddle boat, all busily making their way up or down river; with the exception of the fishing boats, all content to remain for a time in the spot they had staked out early this morning. Since we’ve been coming here, I don’t remember ever seeing such busyness and commotion on the lake. I was enthralled as I watched all the activity. I decided to go out on the deck and snap a few pictures. I’m always fascinated watching how the barges operate taking such heavy loads up and down the river. I thought maybe I’d snap a shot or two of the fishermen as well. What a contrast it was in seeing the calm of their fishing and the commotion of the tug boats just a few feet away.
Once back in the house, I prepared my hot tea and then made my way to the corner chair to have my quiet time. Raising the blinds, gathering Bible, paper and pen, I settled in. As I gazed out at the lake, all was clam. In just a matter of 10 minutes, the chaos and commotion were gone, the water still and quiet. All that was left were two fishermen, their boat drifting in the water and a lonesome crane perched on the water’s edge. How very quiet it was compared to just minutes before with the roar of the tug boat’s engines, and the lapping of the water as the big red paddle turned over and over. There was the hum of the fishing boat motor, as one boat of fisherman decided to look for another fishing hole. Now, nothing but calm, stillness, and a sense of a peace!
As I sat looking and listening to the stillness before me, I thought about life. At times so very busy, chaotic and noisy- going in so many directions. I have just come through three months of chaos and busyness, noise and a great deal of commotion. I thought about the Christian life, often busy and chaotic; little stillness in which to reflect, to listen to the Father’s voice. I wondered, “Does my life, my walk with the Lord, reflect the clam of this moment or the commotion, chaos and noise of the moments I witnessed as I woke this morning?
Lately, I have run into several women who are hungering to understand the working and place of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Growing up I heard about the Trinity; Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. The emphasis seemed to be on Jesus – the Son; little was said of God the Father or the Holy Spirit. A few years ago, I met a woman, who has since become a dear friend to me. She was the first Christian to teach me about living the spirit-filled life. She has demonstrated what it looks like by the way she has lived it out before me. I have longed to live a life of total dependence on the Father, being empowered and filled daily with His spirit; desiring to live differently, to live above my circumstances, to live in victory over the enemy. I have come to realize that all of this and more is mine upon allowing the Holy Spirit complete access and control in my life.
As I gazed at the calm that suddenly lie before me, I sensed the Father saying, “This is how my Spirit works in you, bringing calm, peace and a sense of stillness in the midst of chaos, commotion and noise. When your life is filled with all of these, I am the One who brings order into your life.” As I have learned to live out the spirit-filled life I have had peace in the midst of trials, clam in the midst of storms and assurance in times of doubt and questioning. The Holy Spirit lives in me and because He does, I have nothing to fear; all I need He can provide! The crane perched at the water’s edge this morning, sitting so very still, gazing at the calm of the water, not a care in the world, just enjoying the view; oh, to be filled with the Spirit, trusting so as to be like that crane with not a care in the world!
Father, thank you for sending your Son, who willingly went to the cross to carry my sins and the sins of the world in order that we may be forgiven and put into a right relationship with You. How grateful I am for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the One who lives in me, giving me all I need to live out this life. I am grateful for the peace, the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit! I am grateful for the Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit, what a gift!
“But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord…” Micah 3:8a
Jesus said to his disciples, “Behold, I send the Promise of the Father upon you (the Holy Spirit); but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued (filled) with power from on high.”
“A little while longer and the whole world will see Me no more, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him…These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But, the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things I said to you.” John 14:19-21, 25-26