As I prepared to share some thoughts at church about hearing directly from God, rather than depending on our own insights and understanding, a phrase from Scripture popped into my head. Our church often quotes this as part of the blessing and dismissal at the end of the service:
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. [2 Corinthians 13-14]
I’ve heard this verse from Paul quoted my whole life, but it was only then that it struck me what a privilege that is...to fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Truly this is what prayer—including listening, conversing and simply being in His Presence—is all about. Fellowship can also involve having fun with others and joking around, enjoying making them laugh....sharing a meal, listening to their deepest thoughts, being quiet together, getting to know their personality...their likes and dislikes, their tender hearts, their ‘take’ on issues, what hurts them the most, what makes them happy.
Deep fellowship develops over a long period of time by being with someone on a regular basis. You can have fun with others with whom you don’t talk often or know very well. However, that relationship, while enjoyable, will remain superficial if you never learn their true hearts.
When Paul prayed we’d have the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, I’m sure he knew that every other blessing would flow out of that relationship. For the Jews, fellowship with the Holy Spirit being possible for every believer was a recent and radical change, a gift given by Jesus when He ascended to heaven. Prior to this time, it was for a few chosen individuals. We should never take this incredible gift for granted...and most definitely never leave it lying abandoned in a drawer. Let’s blow the dust off and open it with reverence and delight for the treasure it is. If we hold it up to our ear, like a conch shell at seaside, we’ll hear the Shepherd calling.me thoughts at church about hearing directly from God, rather than depending on our own insights and understanding, a phrase from Scripture popped into my head. Our church often quotes this as part of the blessing and dismissal at the end of the service:
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. [2 Corinthians 13-14]
I’ve heard this verse from Paul quoted my whole life, but it was only then that it struck me what a privilege that is...to fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Truly this is what prayer—including listening, conversing and simply being in His Presence—is all about. Fellowship can also involve having fun with others and joking around, enjoying making them laugh....sharing a meal, listening to their deepest thoughts, being quiet together, getting to know their personality...their likes and dislikes, their tender hearts, their ‘take’ on issues, what hurts them the most, what makes them happy.
Deep fellowship develops over a long period of time by being with someone on a regular basis. You can have fun with others with whom you don’t talk often or know very well. However, that relationship, while enjoyable, will remain superficial if you never learn their true hearts.
When Paul prayed we’d have the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, I’m sure he knew that every other blessing would flow out of that relationship. For the Jews, fellowship with the Holy Spirit being possible for every believer was a recent and radical change, a gift given by Jesus when He ascended to heaven. Prior to this time, it was for a few chosen individuals. We should never take this incredible gift for granted...and most definitely never leave it lying abandoned in a drawer. Let’s blow the dust off the box and open it with reverence and delight for the treasure it is. If we hold it up to our ear, like a conch shell at seaside, we’ll hear the Shepherd calling.
