I stood outside the church, pacing the sidewalk, wondering how I got here and how I was possibly going to get through the evening. I could feel my chest tightening and neck becoming flushed. What was I doing here? I wasn’t qualified for this. I wasn’t who they came to hear. My story was so ordinary – not dramatic or emotional like the other women speaking this weekend. Yet, here I was, microphone clipped in place and first up on the evening’s agenda to speak before 75 conference attendees.
As I leaned against the church wall for support, I whispered an invitation: “Come, Holy Spirit! Come and give me the words to say and the boldness to say them!”
How did I get to this place? Well, it started with a similar prayer almost a year earlier. “Come, Holy Spirit! Guide me where you want me to go.”
It was a bold prayer, a crazy plea. I was still learning to believe in prayer, but I wasn’t content where I was in my life. I wanted my life to have more meaning and impact. So, I started to pray for God to show me the way.
As I began to pray for guidance, I began to prepare my heart to hear an answer. I wanted to experience God’s call and what it would be like to just say “yes” to whatever I heard. I wanted to know how Abraham was so able to just say “yes” to God’s call to move his family to an unknown destination; to follow wherever God would lead him. What made him say “yes” so quickly, so readily, without thinking it over and arguing pros and cons? I wanted faith like that!
The best part? When I opened my heart and invited the Holy Spirit in to lead me, He came! Not immediately, but when I was ready; when He was ready.
I knew I was to be the opening speaker at this conference because the Holy Spirit had shown it to me months earlier. I knew there must be something in my story He wanted someone attending to hear. I knew He had orchestrated this whole event, so I needed to keep saying “yes” and complete the mission.
God has filled us all with His Holy Spirit. We don’t have to call or invite the Holy Spirit in order to have Him in us, but I’ve found when I do prepare my heart to hear Him and invite Him into my life, I am more connected and can more easily hear His counsel.
Opening my heart to the Holy Spirit opens the door to a life transformed.
“Come, Holy Spirit!”
Come and quiet my soul to hear you.
Come and soften my heart to accept your words.
Come and guide my steps.
Come and equip me to do your work.
Come and help me trust where you are taking me.
Come and make my life new.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. ~Romans 15:13
How have you experienced the Holy Spirit? Has He broken through, even when you weren’t open? Have you actively invited him to work in your life? Please share and let’s learn more about the Holy Spirit together!
This post is part of a 4 week series about the Holy Spirit. Click HERE for other posts in this series.
This series will look at topics such as:
– Inviting the Holy Spirit to begin working within us
– How to listen for the Holy Spirit
– What it means to obey the guidance of the Holy Spirit
– How obedience is linked to trust
– How the Holy Spirit equips us, even when we don’t feel qualified
– What impact we can have in the world when we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit
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Linking with #TellHisStory, Thought Provoking Thursday, Whitespace Thursday, Weekend Brew
lily says
I’m so glad you took that step of faith and said “yes” to God. It can be scary when we go out of our comfort zone, but life is an adventure when we trust God and say yes to what He calls us to do! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Kathryn says
Yes, sometimes scary, but worth it! It’s nice, though, to be on the other side of a growth opportunity and be able to reflect on the journey. Learning to live in that growth zone – outside my comfort zone, but trusting in the Holy Spirit to guide me.
Sabra Penley says
Saying yes to God to follow a call to write has been an interesting and exciting journey. I’ve known all along there was no way I could do this without the Holy Spirit. The times I trudge through without prayer first, it’s a disaster. But when I stop and acknowledge there is no way I can make a difference in my own power and wisdom and ask God to give me the message and the words, my writing flows.
I’ve also experienced the Holy Spirit bring his peace that transcends understanding through the very difficult journey of my husband’s illness and disability. I would never have made it through with God’s constant presence and power.
Thanks for this series on the Holy Spirit!
Kathryn says
Great encouragement! My journey on this call is finally becoming less terrifying and more exciting. I have to say I never imagined myself writing or speaking and have questioned this call so many times, but the Holy Spirit keeps nudging me forward and equipping me with what He asks of me. Such an amazing feeling to experience! Isn’t it wonderful to discover that we don’t have to face these challenges alone?
Trudy Den Hoed says
Love the truth in how the Spirit “opens the door to a life transformed.” Continuing to follow God’s call for me to write is never easy. I’m always so afraid of messing things up with my inadequate words, but I’m learning the Spirit has all power in His hands and turns ashes to beauty. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story of opening your heart to the Holy Spirit, Kathryn.
Kathryn says
Trudy – I have those same fears! In fact, I’ll be sharing more about those fears and how He came through for me as part of this series. Hope you’ll check back for more.
Renee says
I look forward to reading about your adventures with Holy Spirit!