I was watching a rather old movie about a girl hitchhiking on a remote gravel road. First, a man walks by, but he’s on the phone and almost runs her over. Then a couple walk by. They are arguing. The man hears a soft voice whisper “pick her up”, but his wife refuses to let him go. A third car passes and again the voice is heard. The woman stops and picks up the hitchhiker.
A little later they are stopped by the police. The road has flooded and they have to turn back. Everyone ends up in a small restaurant a long time ago. The owner is alone and his name tag reads “Jesus.” It is a wonderful film that illustrates how Jesus cares in a practical way.
Jesus starts with the irresponsible man and asks if he had heard his voice. But because the man had not yet given his heart to Jesus, he could not hear it. He then asked the couple if they had heard his voice. The man said yes, he had heard, but his wife didn’t want him to pick up the girl. The third woman had listened and responded.
What a simple illustration, but it is so true of our lives. I would venture to say that most of us are like the married couple. We are so busy with our lives that we do not listen to the Holy Spirit. Yes, sometimes we pray for guidance and ask God to help us make the right decisions in life, but we never sit and wait quietly to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit.
Let me say this about the voice of the Holy Spirit. When we talk about a voice being heard, we think it must be an audible whisper in our ear. But that is not how the Holy Spirit speaks to most of us. No, He “speaks” inside of us, working with our thoughts, so that we eventually know exactly what to do.
Our lives will be a lot easier, there will be a lot less problems, a lot less bruises and cuts, if we are tuned in and take time for the Holy Spirit to work in us. We must remember that the Holy Spirit comes to live within us when we give our hearts to the Lord. It’s part of the package, not just an optional addition. And we are instructed to listen to the Holy Spirit: 7That is why the Holy Spirit says: Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear…
And if you’ve heard of it, go ahead and do it. Don’t keep tripping. Destruction awaits at the end of that path. I can tell you about many examples from my own life. Places I knew the Holy Spirit didn’t want me to go to, but I insisted on going. The terrible pain that resulted from that was my fault.
So, let’s make sure we have a quiet moment every day. You could read a piece of scripture or listen to music that helps you get away from the world. In this quiet time, the Spirit will guide you and speak to you. So get up and do it. That is the path of truth filled with true peace and joy!
Holy Scripture
Hebrews 3:6-11
Reflection
Can you hear the Holy Spirit?
What should you do so that your circumstances allow you to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit?
Do you do what you know you have to do and not do?
