We all carry a presence and power wherever we go — a presence and power capable of shifting the environment around us for better or worse. I’m sure you have experienced it: optimism, dispelling gloom; hope, displacing discouragement; faith, disarming fear.
Do you remember the classic stories of Winnie the Pooh? Each character perfectly captures and contributes a special essence. The adventurous and fun-loving Christopher Robin befriended an array of imaginary friends, beginning with the spontaneous and deep-feeling Winnie the Pooh. My favorite character was the talkative, impulsive, and competitive Tigger. Rabbit always insisted on being in charge, using a practical and logical approach. Who doesn’t empathize with Eeyore, stuck under a heavy cloud of defeating routines and negative feelings? Don’t we all need a community-minded and friendly Piglet in our inner circle of friends? In each story, someone with a positive outlook would enter the scene and shift things for the better — good ultimately triumphed through each one of Pooh’s stories. But alas, they were only well-written fictional children’s tales.
We, however, live in the land of reality. But haven’t we all felt a little like Eeyore until a real-life Tigger showed up? Or doesn’t every Rabbit personality need a touch of Piglet friendship? There is good news! As Christians, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, bringing us exactly what we need when we need it. To a far greater extent, His presence and power carries the capability of shifting both our internal and external realities.
The One
“In the beginning, the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Holy Trinity and fully God, hovered and breathed over a formless earth, darkened and confused, creating an atmosphere for life to spring forth.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.”
Genesis 1:1-2
There He was! And since that moment, He continualy hovers over humanity, relentless to protect and bring order, vigilant to perform His part in our re-creative process. The way He began over the world, He continues in us today.
“And I (Jesus) will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now, and later will be in you.”
John 14:16-17
The word “Advocate” means One who guides, defends, comforts, and consoles. But there is more! We find hidden within the meaning “a redeemer who ends the curse.” The Holy Spirit comes to end the destructivework of the curse of sin in our lives and to save us from its effects. Only God could orchestrate something so marvelous!
Our Need
Ever since the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the infant church in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit has come to meet our needs, large and small. The Spirit of truth breaks the power and deception of every lie. Our Defender protects against the vilest of attacks. As Comforter He brings solace and strength.
We see weak-kneed disciples suddenly filled with courage and boldness, equipped to stand before any opposition (Acts 4:13, 19-20). Stephen, moments before martyrdom, radiates the presence of God. Filled with the Holy Spirit, He sees an open vision of Jesus, waiting to receive him (Act 6:15, 7:55-56). And filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul disarmed those in opposition to the Gospel so that people could freely accept Jesus as Lord and Savior (Acts 13:9-10). Later, Peter encouraged believers facing extreme persecution saying,
“If you are insulted and reviled for [bearing] the name of Christ, you are blessed [happy, with life-joy and comfort in God’s salvation regardless of your circumstances], because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you [and indwelling you — He whom they curse, you glorify].”
1 Peter 4:14 AMP
The Holy Spirit makes what is humanly impossible possible. Even joy and comfort in persecution!The fullness of the Holy Spirit, in His presence and power resides in us, equipping and helping us “regardless of … circumstances.” Oh! May this encourage us all!
The Gift
The Holy Spirit comes pre-wrapped with the gift of salvation. When we commit our lives to Jesus Christ and receive Him as our Savior, we also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Two in One!
“The Spirit is the guarantee [the first installment, the pledge, a foretaste] of our inheritance until the redemption of God’s own [purchased] possession [His believers], to the praise of His glory.”
Ephesians 1:14 AMP
All those wonderfully positive traits we found as children in Winnie the Pooh and his friends, we discover in over-flowing abundance through the Holy Spirit. He becomes the missing link to all we need or desire, producing in us spiritual fruit to share with others.
“But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control …”
Galatians 5:22-23 AMP
Oh, my friends, may we consider again the beauty and wonder of the Holy Spirit who resides in each believer of Jesus Christ. With grateful hearts may we acknowledge His presence and power at work in us.
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