Desert Journey – Day 31

A friend called out of the blue yesterday. After quick hello’s, she said that the Holy Spirit had placed my name so heavily on her heart she could not ignore it. So she picked up the phone and called to see if I was ok and to offer prayers. That phone call blessed my day. My friend is tuned in.

Her response to the prompting of the Holy Spirit led us to have a beautiful conversation. It gave me the opportunity to share some of the struggles I have recently faced in ministry, many of which have been intertwined in this Desert Journey. My friend is quite a bit wiser than me, and in my view, a spiritual powerhouse. Her call greatly comforted my heart.

Promptings of the Holy Spirit…how many have I missed or ignored? I once heard it said that listening to the Holy Spirit is like listening to the radio – if you are in between stations, you will only hear static. I do not want to hear static, I want to be fine tuned.

This morning, I am following Jesus’ gait, trying to keep in step with him. It is not completely natural yet. Fluidity and rhythm are still evolving, but I am focused on his steps not mine. I look at Jesus and feel like a child waiting for a parent’s affirmation. Funny, how integral that need is, to be affirmed. My mind rushes back in time to the countless moments when our children glanced at either my husband or me for that same reason.

Lord, I am missing the connection between the Holy Spirit’s promptings and our deep desire for affirmation. He says, the heart is affirmed by the Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that validates. And how many times have I looked for affirmation from others instead of waiting for the Holy Spirit?

Fine tune me Lord, so I can hear your Spirit.