“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:22-25
When Jesus was born, I am sure that there was no way for His earthly parents — Mary and Joseph — to know that His life was going to be such a big deal, that His way of living and loving would revolutionize the culture at that time, or that all of it would ultimately lead Him to the cross.
No, I am sure that when Jesus was born on that cold night in a dirty manger, they likely imagined that He would lead a fairly normal life. Oh, but how wrong that would have been. Jesus’ life on earth may have started out looking pretty normal for their day and age, but as He got older things began to change, notably once He recognized that His true Father was God.
That’s when things got crazy.
He gathered disciples to follow Him, He was a teacher to the masses and to to the one, and many were loved, healed, and saved as a result. His ministry lasted for only three years, but of course, that’s not the end of the story.
When Jesus was with His disciples after the resurrection, He told them not to let their hearts be troubled because the Father was going to send them another to be with them: the Holy Spirit.
In other words (my own), it is as if Jesus told them to take heart and count it as joy that they would have an advocate on earth once He was gone, one who would give them power, who would correct and guide them, and be the one through whom they could speak with the Father. I imagine the disciples being confused at first, but then what an immense amount of JOY they might have experienced when the Holy Spirit finally came upon them (Acts 2), just as Jesus had promised.
The Holy Spirit can seem daunting sometimes.
I personally think that He is the most misunderstood part of the Trinity, probably and simply because He is just so mysterious. Even in reading our Bibles, there isn’t a ton we can cling to other than that God sent Him after Jesus’ resurrection, that He is our advocate, and that He imparts on each of us unique gifts to use for the glory of God.
Over the last two years, I have been experiencing a lot more Holy Spirit living, and it has been nothing short of incredible. As I began praying for deeper intimacy and more sensitivity to His leading, God really showed up with His Spirit. I received a serious craving for the Word, a greater understanding of my true identity as a daughter of the King, and a brand new sense of wonder, awe, and overwhelming joy. I share this with you to say that there is so much more beyond the surface of the Christian life.
Tapping into the power and presence of the Holy Spirit opens the floodgates for a deeper, more soul-satisfying relationship with God, which is something I believe that He deeply wants to give you.
So with the season of Advent upon us, I pray that you are able to reflect on the birth and life of Jesus, and then remember what He left for us: Holy Spirit. And since we have Him with us here on earth, was can also have His fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
All because of God’s original plan: create absolutely everything, lead His people no matter how much they grumble, allow His Son to live on earth and consequently sacrifice His life for our sake, and send the Holy Spirit to guide us into deeper relationship and power.
What a sweet, sweet reason we have to rejoice in this advent season!
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