Colleen decided to take a stroll down the beach on our recent vacation to the Jersey Shore. Just a little quiet time for her to reflect on God’s goodness and enjoy the surf and the sun. I, on the other hand, slid out of my beach chair and casually headed to the gently breaking waves right in front of me.
As I studied the ebb and flow of the current and tumbling tiny stones in the sand, I noticed something. But in a moment, it was gone. I asked the Lord, which I’ve done on many occasions, to show me what He’d like me to discover today. Right here in the tiny little waves and the clear water lapping over my feet. And He did.
This time I saw a smooth stone; a brown one. It’s as if God pointed it out just for me. I picked it up and held it loosely and continued my search. Then another one. An off-white stone, nearly the same shape and size. And lastly, I spotted a tiny bright white stone. I grabbed it before it could disappear into the rumbling seas.
I simply held them in my hand and asked God what they represented. It became immediately obvious what He was showing me.
As if to say, the brown stone represents God, the Father. The off-white one, God the Son, and the tiny bright white pebble, God the Holy Spirit. He said, see that little white pebble? That’s how most of the “church” sees the Holy Spirit. They don’t understand the power and influence I have. If they just trusted me to guide them, their life would look so much different.
They understand the Father, and they get Jesus, but they’re just not sure about my Spirit. I’m misunderstood and seen as vague and small in relation to their life. Yet I’m living inside each of my Children able to lead them in their journey if they would only acknowledge me. They try to live life on their own terms without all I have to offer.
That’s amazing and so true. I shared that moment with Colleen when she returned and now, I’m sharing it with you. It’s God’s message, not mine. But I can testify to the fact that much of my life ignoring the promptings of the Holy Spirit was to my detriment and many others.
“‘Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. … I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.’” John 16:7, 12-14.
And that’s the memo.
Steve
