What can the Holy Spirit do?
It’s a question I asked my Sunday School teacher when I was a young girl. I think I was in either 5th or 6th grade when I asked her this question. I had friends of different denominations and maybe even different religions – I’m not sure. But I remember we were having a conversation about Jesus when the subject of his baptism came up and someone said the Holy Spirit came to earth that day. I piped up – no, not that day, the Holy Spirit was here before Jesus was. And then someone asked me why I thought that and I said because the Holy Spirit was here in the beginning of the world, the Bible says so. And then someone asked, ‘Why didn’t the Holy Spirit just stay here then?’ “I don’t know.” “Oh, then what can the Holy Spirit do?” “I don’t know.’ I replied again. And so we went to run and play on the playground equipment.
Children have rather deep conversations sometimes with questions that are pretty difficult to answer. And sometimes there just aren’t any clear cut pat answers. This can be difficult for some people while other people are content to just accept the ‘I don’t know.’ I wanted to know what the Holy Spirit could do so I waited until Sunday and asked my teacher. She said, “The Holy Spirit can help you be a better person. If you are having trouble with something the Holy Spirit can help you. Maybe you have a hard time obeying your parents – the Holy Spirit can help you do that.”
What child doesn’t have a hard time obeying their parents? How many children ever think to ask the Holy Spirit to help them behave? How many parents ask the Holy Spirit to help their children?
I got to thinking about this today after having a conversation with a woman about discipline and the saying ‘spare the rod, spoil the child.’ Too many people understand the rod to be a ‘whipping stick’ but that’s not the kind of rod the bible is talking about. The bible is talking about a measuring stick and a rod that helps yoke oxen together. Spare the rod, means without being connected to someone and without some rules to measure relationship a child is spoiled. In the Lord’s prayer Jesus taught his disciples to pray, ‘Our Father’ In this statement they all became yoked together as siblings with a loving Father. One who not only gave out orders and rules, but one who came to live and work among his children. One who didn’t spare the rod or spoil his children.
As I continued to ponder all of this relationship stuff today I remembered Jesus’ prayer as recorded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 17. In this prayer Jesus prays that all those who believe in Him will be united to him through the power of the Holy Spirit in the same way that Jesus and God are united. What can the Holy Spirit do? My answer tonight is infinitely more than we can ask or imagine – but I do believe this – the Holy Spirit can Unite us – on earth and in heaven. That’s a good thing – because a divided family doesn’t stand the test of time or the troubles of this world. So, if you and your family are struggling with issues that divide you (and this is not an uncommon issue) then perhaps a simple prayer for the family to receive the Holy Spirit could be a step towards experiencing a little less trouble.
You see, as Children of God, we have to admit it’s true, we have a more difficult time obeying God than we care to admit, just like children don’t like admitting they have a difficult time obeying their parents.
Let Us Pray,
Lord, You give the Holy Spirit generously to all who ask, without playing favorites. I ask that you would please forgive my negligence in praying for your help in my family life. You know our needs, better than we know them ourselves. Please give us all your Holy Spirit, help us to love one another the way you love us. Help us to learn from you how we should live together in this lifetime that you would be glorified and your will may be accomplished according to your good and perfect plans. AMEN
