June 25, 2010
Connecting the Dots
Gwen Smith
Today's Truth
"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26, NIV)
Friend To Friend
Ever since I was young, I've loved connecting dots. In my childhood, it was dots with numbers on paper that I could connect and color. As I threw my attention to the page and followed the numbered steps, a picture developed. A new creation appeared. It brought joy to my little-girl heart.
My grown-up dot-connecting challenges are far from a kid's fun sheet. There are "life dots" like: parenting dots, faith dots, emotion dots, relationship dots, job dots, and decision dots. I continually struggle to make sense of situations and circumstances and long for a simply numbered life sheet to give me guidance and direction.
Do you ever feel that way? Do you ever wonder how to connect the practical instruction of God's Word to your daily choices and behaviors? Do you struggle to understand how to connect the dots between your questions and God's answers? Between the decisions you need to make and God's wisdom?
If you have a pulse, I'm guessing you deal with this dot-connecting life stuff regularly like I do. The Lord knew we would struggle with this, and He gives each of us the power to connect our life dots according to His plan. How? Through His Holy Spirit.
In Scripture, we see a beautiful promise of God. Before His crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus told His disciples that He must die in order to connect the sinful hearts of man to the holy heart of God. He explained that though He was leaving this world, His followers would not be left alone or without power.
"If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth" (John 14:15-17a).
Jesus went on to say, "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" (John 14:25-26).
The Holy Spirit works in and through us to connect the life dots between our heart and God's. He's the connector between our problems and God's solutions. When we go to God in prayer and ask Him to help us take the next step, or make the next decision, or choose the next response, He will faithfully lead us to the next dot with wisdom through the power of His Holy Spirit.
Invite the Holy Spirit to lead your decisions and emotions today. Open your heart to His counsel. Call on His wisdom and listen for the whispers of His truth. When you do, He will connect your life dots in order to bring glory to God the Father. Imagine what our lives, families, churches, and communities would look like if we allowed the Spirit of God within us to connect our life dots each day. The world would see a beautiful faith picture.
Let's Pray
Heavenly Father, You are all-knowing and all-powerful. You know every decision I need to make and every challenge I face. Please forgive me for the times that I try to figure this life out on my own. I need You. I need Your Holy Spirit to give me strength, wisdom, and direction, specifically concerning ______________.
In Jesus' Name I pray,
Amen.
Now It's Your Turn
After telling His disciples about the Holy Spirit in John 14, Jesus blessed them with a peace promise: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
Where does this promise find you today?
Whatever you are facing, know that the Holy Spirit is ready to guide and comfort you. Journal your thoughts and ask God to connect the faith dots for you so you can bring Him glory in your circumstances and then experience His peace.
More From The Girlfriends
Hey friend. I know many of you are facing very difficult times. Some of you are trying to sift through the ashes of marriage problems, financial challenges, health issues and emotional torment. God knows right where you are, He loves you and He knows your heart. He has a plan for your life. As you look to Him to connect your life dots, trust His plan and press on to do His will.
Every step of transformation begins with the heart of God. If you would like to learn more about how your brokenness can be reworked into a picture of God's beauty, order Gwen's book Broken Into Beautiful. This resource will help you experience the power of hope, healing and restoration!
GOT FACEBOOK? Visit Gwen's FACEBOOK PAGE. Thousands of GiGs "meet" there daily to connect and spur one another on in faith. Stop by and leave a message on her wall - listen to a few songs - share the page with your FB friends! (She loves that!)
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Originally published Friday, 25 June 2010.
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