– by Mark Challies (prompted through sharings by Fr John Rea & Michael Staite)
Each day we have the opportunity to be open to the Spirit either through our prayer or promptings in the day. These may come as “spiritual” revelations or as daily life opportunities. I was inspired by recent presentations given by two of our Community members to reflect on this area.
Fr. John shared he noted that Jesus worked so closely with the Holy Spirit, that they were partners in ministry. A ministry of great power. How could this be so? Jesus totally submitted to the Father’s will, He was always docile to God.
Michael reminded us that we are living in a fallen world and encouraged us in many ways. Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Interesting both talked about submitting to God; one resulted in power and the other in peace.
In my reflections I was drawn to the following:
John 5:19 Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing on his own, but only what he sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, the Son does likewise’.
Matthew 7:24-27 (Jesus said …) ‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’
Allowing God to use us requires moving in faith. A risk that we enter into, an unknown territory and we can be fearful of what lies ahead. But we can be assured that God is with us and that walking in the ways He asks us, will enable His power to be used and His peace to fill our hearts.
In so many ways God is prompting each of us with His Holy Spirit and wants to do so more. I have been amazed by ways God has prompted me and the way I hear from other members of the Lamb of God that God is using them, small words or actions that have great impact on situations.
Do you each day seek the Lord to allow His Holy Spirit to use you?
“Lord I put my life into Your hands and give back to you all that you have given me. Lord I desire to be Your servant”.
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Mark Challies is the Senior Coordinator of the Lamb of God Community in New Zealand.
