Eyes to SeeSample

Up to this point in your reading, you’ve taken a lot in. You’ve thought about the great needs in the world. You’ve thought of the commands of God to pour yourself out to the poor. You’ve reflected on Jesus’s supernatural example of compassion and love. And you might just be feeling a little burdened by it all. There are so many needs, and God’s bar for love is so high. But we sometimes forget that we have not been left alone to do it by ourselves. God knows we aren’t able without Him.

That’s why when Jesus told His disciples He would be leaving, He promised them He would send someone to take His place: the Holy Spirit. In John 14:15-17, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.”

In all aspects of our Christian life, including serving those in need, the Holy Spirit is with us. He strengthens us when we feel weak or incapable. He teaches us and reminds us of the truth. He acts in our lives on behalf of Jesus to guide us.

For Andrea of Toronto, ON, the prompting of the Holy Spirit started her down a new path in life. God had been nudging her to consider her priorities in life. During a maternity leave from her job as a physiotherapist, God showed her how tightly she was holding on to her professional identity. A picture of a closed fist kept coming to her mind. As she wrestled with God over months, she slowly surrendered control to God and asked Him for guidance. As a result, she began to feel the Holy Spirit directing her in many ways, enabling her to serve and help those around her she had previously not even seen. For Andrea, creating space in her life to let God lead her was the important first step.

We must depend on the Holy Spirit to guide our actions, strengthen us, and give us peace. We can find relief in knowing that the Holy Spirit is also at work in other people’s lives. We can’t fix anyone; our only job is to be faithful to what God’s Spirit leads us to do.

Reflect:

• Spend some time in quiet reflection. Is the Holy Spirit speaking to you right now? Take note of what He may be speaking to you.

Pray:

Heavenly Father, Jesus called Your Holy Spirit the “Helper.” Help me to make space for Your Spirit in my life, knowing that without Your Spirit, my work is hollow, ineffective, and unsustainable. May I rely on You fully today. Amen.