Holy Spirit Takeover

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you (John 14:26, CSB).

When we say yes to a personal relationship with Jesus, we receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts. In John 20:21-22, Jesus is commissioning the disciples: Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” After saying this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

We are also told in Scripture, specifically in John 14:26, that the Holy Spirit is sent to be our counselor: But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. 

Jesus’ death on the cross was necessary to save us from our sins, but in His goodness, He left for us an advocate and counselor to be with us in His absence. What a beautiful, and powerful gift that I’m so grateful for every day. Today I want to ask a follow up question for all of us to consider: How should our lives change when we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit?

The Trinity is a difficult concept to grasp–we serve a God who is three distinct persons all under one “Godhead.” As we learn God’s character through His word, grow in our personal relationship with Jesus, and walk more closely with Him, we experience a Holy Spirit takeover. 

Let me clarify what I mean. I’m not someone who hears the voice of God all the time, and I don’t usually get direct messages from the Lord in regard to specific decisions in my life. Instead, what I’ve found is that I can lean into the Holy Spirit for guidance in a way that directs my life, and alleviates some of the burden of feeling like I always have to make the right choice.

The Holy Spirit directs my life when it comes to faithfulness. I believe we are called to reflect Christ in our lives, and lean into faithfulness. It is from that platform that the Lord, through the Holy Spirit, will direct our lives if we allow. In my life that’s shown up in a few different ways. 

Faithfulness in my job as a physical therapist. Showing up everyday, and doing my best to care for the people the Lord has placed in my path. Faithfulness with my writing. When the Lord called me to make space for writing, I committed Friday mornings as a time to faithfully show up, and allow the Lord to work. Faithfulness in my role as “Aunt Katie”, and committing to show up for as many big moments as possible for my nieces and nephews, even as I wait for the Lord to fulfill the desires of my heart.

Faithfulness through the presence of the Holy Spirit has changed my life. Though I have had my fair share of really cool Jesus moments, it’s often through showing up, and doing something, that I’m reminded that I have an advocate and counselor, the Holy Spirit, guiding my life.