WATCHWORD:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Meditation
Beyond Our Understanding
I told this story in an essay several years ago, but it has relevance in this meditation: A week before Christmas, it is cold and snow is accumulating on the streets and sidewalks of Chicago, when I heard the voice of God say: “Help him!” I looked, there was no one there.
Again, I heard the voice insisting that I “Help him!”, and when I looked I saw an elderly man, lying in the middle of Clark St., unable to rise. Cars were driving around him. I acted, helped him up and led him to a bench on the sidewalk. That act became a focus point of my thoughts the remainder of that night and the next day. Had I done enough? What else should I have done? Should I have given him my gloves? My coat? What happened to the man after a police officer had arrived?
God spoke to me that day, sounding a lot like my wife, and a lesson was learned. My reach needed to exceed my grasp. Or, said a different way, my actions needed to exceed my understanding of what I was called upon to do at a specific moment. There are times when God enlists us to help in the life story of another. We may not be called upon to take it further than what God has inspired us to do.
We should be believers in the nudges provided by the Holy Spirit, within. The inspiration that God provides that moves us along a plan, a divine plan, that we may have no understanding of, and, yet, his instructions to us are can be as clear as “Help him!”
Our own idealistic common sense, or human principle may actually lull us into deafness to the voice of the Holy Spirit, making his directions lost to us. Once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless. We ignore their need for us to respond and we turn our backs on the needy and pass by on the other side. When we begin to act on own initiative, we have lost the vision of God.
Do not fear what this day, or any day, may bring your way. Be attuned to the voice of the Holy Spirit. Concentrate on trusting him and doing what needs to be done. Relax in his arms, remembering that our Savior goes before us and with us, into each day. He tells us very clearly, fear no evil, for I can bring good out of every situation you will ever encounter. That alone should bring us great joy, for we are his children. Amen.
Aspects of the Holy Spirit by Robert Morris:
The Truth of the Holy Spirit living with and in us assures us that we never have to feel alone.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly father, as we seek to do your will throughout each moment of this day, open our eyes that we may see what you would have us see. Open ears that we may hear not only cries of the needy but also the voice of the Holy Spirit within each one of us. Guide us, Lord, according to your will, but also give us a vision of what you would have us do and say. Be with us throughout this day, Lord, and instill in us a willing heart. We give you all the honor and glory in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
