Enlightening

¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. -Ephesians 1:17-19

How does the Holy Spirit enlighten us? A sermon by James Smith (1890) says,
"The Holy Spirit is with us to enlighten in perplexity. This he does . . .
by throwing light upon our path,
by unfolding the Word of God,
or by shining into our minds."

Have you ever been searching scriptures for an answer to something going on in your life and suddenly find the perfect passage that brings comfort, hope, and direction?  Have you ever read a very familiar passage of scripture and find a whole new meaning?  These are some of the ways the Holy Spirit enlightens us.

 I remember many years ago when my family was experiencing serious financial difficulties and I turned to the Bible.  I was led to a passage from the gospels that Jesus tells us not to worry because God feeds the birds and clothes the lilies and we are far more important to him.  I remember being filled with comfort and hope and being able to lay my worries aside.  The scripture passage seemed to almost jump from the page.  It was surely the work of the Holy Spirit.

Another time, I was worried about the eternal fate of a family member who had died.  I opened the Bible and was immediately directed to a passage that said, "You trust in God, trust also in me."  I knew without a doubt that God was telling me to trust him with the eternity of this person.  I have never been troubled by this again... for any person.  I trust God to do what is good, right, loving and perfect.  Again, this was certainly the work of the Holy Spirit.

There have been times when I was asked to lead prayer that the words seem to have come from somewhere else.  I have taught Sunday school classes and Bible studies where I truly felt like I was just the vessel through which God was speaking. 

The Holy Spirit truly does enlighten us.  How has He enlightened you in your walk?

Come Holy Spirit,
Enlighten our minds and our hearts as we seek to understand God's ways.  Amen.

Joys:  Last day of work before vacation; time with Cecelia; gorgeous weather yesterday