A Spiritual Reflection

A Spiritual Reflection

After going through some writings in my autobiography this item got my attention and am sending it for publication.  The reason most of us write is to relate God’s grace to those who seek some understanding of Christ’s presence in their lives.  At least that should be the impetus for our talent to share what we can.  The following is what I entered regarding my life,  January 3, 2018.

“Going through some older papers I discovered this item and thought to add it here rather than just leave it as a single item.  I titled it “Who Am I?”  written May 9, 1985.  

I am a man living in the 20th century, a  member of God’s established kingdom, a trusted minister of Jesus Christ, urged by the Holy Spirit to live life to the fullest for the flock. (that is the spiritual life to its fullest) inspired by the Spirit, filled with the Spirit.

Since belief is a major criterion then knowledge of God’s gracious benefits to those who accept him and are in tune must certainly be filled with God’s Holiness, not that we of ourselves are holy, but that we reflect what we indeed believe that if Jesus Christ has called us to minister in a manner of holiness to his people then what we seem to give must be what we have received, that is spiritual holiness.  To believe otherwise implies either complete disbelief in God’s trust to us and his eventual guidance, or a total disregard for our own self-respect and self-esteem.

Therefore, should we say that our being filled with the Holy Spirit is different from that of Jesus Christ?  For even though he was (is) God Incarnate, he also was a man following the Father’s Will.

Why then, especially if we have been to the desert and have been prepared by God  (this is important), are totally at peace with ourselves, and in full accord with his Will, should we not accept the fact that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit?  One major impediment could be the opposition to the following:  we must be emptied of all unnecessary baggage to make room for him.  He, the Spirit of God, is not a hitch-hiker as a companion; he demands a resting place with a view of our life as we journey.  A captain’s roost if you will.  He must be in command, the advisor and discerner in God’s affairs as concerns our ministry.

So to conclude, yes, if we can return to the desert for a time and empty the excess load from life we didn’t need anyway, and are in full accord with God’s Church, and the love law of Jesus Christ, it is inevitable that the Holy Spirit will take up a place within us and we shall be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to minister in his Church.”  

As a note to the above, my writing on “The Wilderness Experience within our Soul” written August 29, 2000, may have received the impetus from this small article.

Ralph B. Hathaway