Satan Doesn’t Want You to Read this Letter
I was taken aback recently when I read a survey which revealed that over 60% of people who consider themselves Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is not a person. Rather in their view He … well I guess it wouldn’t be He … It is just a force or an extension of God.
Run from the Dark Side Luke!
Anyway, what is regrettable is that these folks are missing out on an amazing friendship with a real Person. So I would like to present an open letter to the Holy Spirit and an attempt at a reply that hopefully will give an accurate perspective on how to connect – not with a force, but with a Friend that is always faithful and available.
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Dear Holy Spirit,
Wow – that sounds kinda weird – “Dear Holy Spirit”. I mean, saying (or writing) “Dear Jesus” or “Dear Father” feels normal, but I guess that’s the point, right? Because even though you don’t have a name that feels quite as personal, it doesn’t change the fact that you are God, a real Person, and a real Friend that lives inside my soul.
I guess it’s that last part that really got through to me – the fact that you live inside me and want to be my friend. That totally makes sense because as God you know everything about me – more than my family, more than my other friends, even more than I know about myself! And as a real Person, you know everything I’m going through – the good, the bad, and yes even the ugly. You feel joy when I feel joy. Pain when I feel pain. You even know when I’m lonely and feel like I don’t have a friend in the world.
But I do; and it’s you.
So here’s my question: How do I get this whole friendship thing going? After all, you are invisible; you don’t speak to me out loud; and I’m pretty sure you don’t even have a cell phone! So how do I “connect” with Someone who I can’t see or hear???
Help, and thanks,
(insert your name here)
Dear (insert your name here),
Wow! Thank you so much for writing! Yeah, I know it might feel strange calling me “Holy Spirit,” but the more you talk to me, the more comfortable it will feel. Or – if you didn’t know this – I have other names you could use like Helper and Counselor, or just call me Friend!
Speaking of being your Friend, I can’t wait to grow deeper in our friendship! I know it’s a little different than other relationships in some ways since (like you said) I’m invisible and don’t speak to you out loud, but I think you’ll find that since I live inside you and “speak’ directly to your soul” – those issues won’t get in the way of our friendship.
So here’s my answer: To get our relationship going, you need to practice three things that I’ll call the ABC’s to connecting with God. If you add these three habits to your life on a regular basis, your life will be anything but regular. In fact, I think you’ll find that a friendship with me will take you places you never thought probable, and give you peace that you never believed possible.
Ready? OK. The ABC’s are: Ask, Breathe, and Communicate
First let’s talk about ask. Basically, even though I am God and I am all powerful, I will not *make you* have a friendship with me. You are free to choose to let me fill you and control you, and you are free to simply be satisfied with your salvation and leave it at that. I have to tell you, though, that going through life without Me is the worst choice you could make. I’ve been around long enough (forever actually) to see that you humans simply don’t do well all by yourselves. As well, it’s impossible to live the Christian life without me. So that’s why I wrote this in my Book:
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
What I’m saying here is ask me to fill and control your life. Ask me to guide and direct you … shield and protect you. Ask me to deepen our friendship. Ask. Ask. Ask … then ask again. Keep on asking, because every time you sin, you make a choice to “unplug” from my power and presence … which leads me to the next step:
Breathe
I know you don’t need to be reminded to breathe; that sort of comes naturally for air breathing people. What I’m talking about is spiritual breathing. Here’s how it works:
When you know you’ve messed up, exhale what you’ve done by confessing (admitting) it – Again, from my Book:
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. (I John 1:9)
The moment you realize that you have sinned, simply tell the Father about it and admit that you were wrong. It's not like He (and me too) don’t know about it already, and the longer you wait to exhale, the less you'll be living in my power.
After you exhale, it's time to ... you guessed it ... inhale! Ask me to fill you again, and be on your way living in my power and deepening our friendship.
That is until you sin again. Then you need to breathe again. Breathe in. Breathe out. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
One more letter – and this is key:
Communicate
Just like any other friendship, we need to talk. So talk to me early and often. Tell me what’s good, what’s bad, what’s confusing you. I’m never too busy to listen, and I’ll never grow tired of your voice … I made you, remember?
Oh yeah, and let me talk to you through the Bible. The words of the Bible are not the words of men … they are mine. They are living and active, and I will make them come alive and active in your life.
I hope this helps, and I look forward to deepening our friendship. In fact, I’m going to stop writing so we can start living the awesome life God the Father designed for you, Jesus purchased for you, and I guide for you!
Love,
Your Friend, The Holy Spirit.
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Lane Palmer is the Youth Ministries Specialist for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colo., where he works with to provide resources for youth leaders and students. Dare 2 Share exists to energize and equip teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries or the GameDay youth conference tour, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to lane@dare2share.org.
