In search of inspiration
By the time you read this… I’ll be looking back through the rear view mirror at my birthday. That annual day that marks yet another trip around the sun. I’ve struggled this week to find inspiration for my blog article. And thanks to my self imposed dogged determination, taking a week off was not an option. After praying and reading, I started to write and scrapped it. I tried again and scrapped that too.
Finally feeling a bit desperate I read the article I wrote last year at the time of my birthday. Here is a link if you’d like to know the context. https://debhucke.com/2018/09/03/happy-birthday-to-me/
Staying the Course
Last years reflection encouraged me to consider where I am now and from where I’ve come. It’s a good exercise whenever you elect to do it. I am most proud of the fact that I have stayed the course with God at the helm. As life has stabilized it would be easy to revert to self-sufficiency. To a large extent, I credit my weekly blog to have resisted that temptation. Writing GodsGotThis consistently has disciplined me to stay closely connected to Him. I’m vigilant in my everyday life to watch for His lessons, hear His convictions and trust His ways.
Not just lip service
I liken it to the season of life when I was passionate about clean eating and healthy food. (The passion remains even if I’m not as outspoken.) When shopping for groceries I was conscious of what I put in my cart. What if you saw me in the check out line buying hot Cheetos, fruit loops and a case of Diet Coke? What would that do for my credibility as a voice for clean eating? My purchases reflected my priorities. So I chose and still choose, mostly produce and organic, fresh, whole food. My groceries were the evidence that my soapbox was more than lip service.
My blog writings are similar. You all, this growing platform that I am humbled to serve has helped to keep me aware of my influence. It’s as if, I’m mindful of the fact that you’re watching to see what I put in my grocery cart.
But it’s more than that. I no longer feel completely independent. Instead it seems as if I live in tandem with God. Almost as if we’re inseparable. This realization urged me to dig a little deeper into the significance of the Holy Spirit.
I know this much
The Holy Spirit lives in me. The day I said yes to Jesus I received the gift of the Holy Spirit. And as a Christ follower it’s not possible to leave home without Him. But… He is gentleman. He won’t force Himself upon me. It seems that during my weeks and months of extreme neediness, I’ve become practiced at depending on Him, almost constant interaction. And this holy habit has carried over into non crisis times.
What the Holy Spirit is NOT
Sadly, many Christians miss out on Him completely. To be fair He is the most misunderstood part of the trinity. The Holy Spirit is NOT simply a force, a ghost, or some kind of cosmic IT that causes us to feel emotion.
The Holy Spirit is God, the third person of the Trinity. He speaks (Acts 8:29); makes decisions (Acts 15:28); is grieved (Ephesians 4:30); can be lied to (Acts 5:3,4); grants spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 1:12:11); helps us (Romans 8:26,27) and even can prevent our plans (Acts 16:6,7) This is not the work of an it.
The Breath of the Almighty
The Holy Spirit makes His debut in the opening scene of scripture.
Genesis 1:1,2 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters”
The Hebrew word translated as “Spirit” means “breath.” “The Breath of the Almighty,” is the agent in creation. Picture it. The omnipotent God of the universe breathes out creation.
Reinforced all throughout scripture, the Holy Spirit is the irresistible power by which God accomplishes His purposes.
But…
Don’t miss this. In addition to His huge role in the cosmos, the Holy Spirit is the paraclete, (Greek for helper). Our personal agent of God’s power, forever. So just as He’s released in the world to accomplish His purposes, He is available in us to do that same kingdom work. How cool is that?
John 14:16,17. “He will be with you forever…he dwells with you and will be in you”
His Story
So back to my birthday reflection… I thought about my own history. As His daughter and with my strong conviction that He’s Got This, my life is His story to write. And at my age, many chapters have already been written. I have to trust Him with the pages to come. He holds the pen.
Immeasurably More?
Then, like a mack truck, I ran into this passage. Since the Holy Spirit is God’s agent of power, I see this scripture speaking about Him and His ability through me.
Ephesians 3:20,21 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Let’s see you do that?
At first my reaction was… come on God. Really? Immeasurably more? I mean I have a big imagination and audacious desires. I dream about my handsome ginger, praising you, while living independently with his nice family in Brooklyn NY. Let’s see you do that? And you’re able to do immeasurably more?
Stewards of our Story
As I’ve wrestled with this scripture I’ve come to believe that we are merely stewards of our stories. He is the author. And because He is God, He is able to masterfully weave together everything including our bad decisions, our tragedies and even our sin for His good purposes. (Romans 8:28) Further and beyond human comprehension, He is able to cause our stories to intersect at the precise time, in the precise way for His glory.
He is Faithful
I must not forget that God has been faithful. I have seen immeasurably more. The ICU at UNM hospital has seen immeasurably more. Facebook and my public following has seen immeasurably more. And I trust that He isn’t finished with His work of immeasurably more.
A Call to Faith
The way I see it, Ephesians 3:20 is a call to faith in the One who is able to do immeasurably more with and through us. What does that look like? Until our final breath, we’re to remain close to the Holy Spirit. Inseparable even. When we do… not only is He able to accomplish immeasurably more, scripture promises we’ll produce fruit. And with that fruit, we’re privileged to advance the kingdom, right where we are.
Galatians 5:22,23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control.
Someday, it’s my hope and prayer that it’s the Spirit’s fruit you’ll see in my grocery cart.
GodsGotThis,
Debbie Hucke
Carlotta Emslie says
Happy belated birthday Deb. Thank you for your blog, I look forward every week to your inspirational words ????
Carlotta
debhucke says
Thank you Carlotta. It’s especially exciting for me to have connected with readers I don’t know!
Kathy says
Oh…Deb. I faithfully read your blog every week and look forward to it. I am so blessed by the way you walk with our Savior. It is not perfect, usually messy, but always beautiful. And that is the way life is, and why I love and appreciate you so much! You reflects Jesus. His mercy, His grace, His Power, His Love, His Truth, You are always vulnerable. That is truly the power of the Holy Spirit inside of you as you walk in obedience to Him. Thank you for allowing God to accomplish His purpose through you. Your grocery cart is full of His Spirit. So much fruit! Bless you friend!
debhucke says
So sweet Kathy! I love your description… usually messy, but also beautiful which is life. And thank God for His grace. Thanks for your kind words. I’m humbled.
leslie rossillon says
Dear Debbie,
Happy Birthday to you!
Thank you for your blog and your sharing of your life with God. Your words are powerful and eloquently, gracefully, humorously woven together.
We have not met in person, but I am grateful to meet you in this blog.
I am learning from you and others how to approach God. I need to pay more attention to the response .
Thanks again and birthday blessings!
debhucke says
Leslie, delighted to hear from you! I am so pleased you found me. Please send this message to others you know and encourage them to subscribe. Blessings to you!
Kathy Day says
Happy Birthday dear Debbie! I read your blog and ponder the scripture. God bless you always.
debhucke says
Thank you Kathy! Blessings to you.
Anne Kole says
And God is always faithful. Easier to see in retrospect, evident now, anticipating the future!
Happy birthday Debbie! We worship the faithful, amazing God!
debhucke says
Hindsight is 20-20! Amen for His faithfulness.
John says
Happy Birthday! Another trip around the sun or another trip around the son.
debhucke says
Clever! Or better yet another trip with the son.
Debra Harbaugh says
Dear Deb,
I really liked what Kathy Says wrote you today at 7:38 am. I was still “sawing wood at that hour”. I will not be at the Wednesday fellowship tonight as I will be at a 9-11 memorial this evening in Rio Rancho. Have a great day and hopefully I will see you on Sunday.
Sincerely,
Debra Harbuagh
debhucke says
Thx Debra!
Freddie says
Happy Birthday, Debbie. Loved reading the post. Eemembering what your and your family have endured and your response to the many comments sent to you have been an inspiration to me. It helped when we later had to face the cancer attacking our son. The Holy Spirit saw us through and revealed himself in the many people who prayed for us. He is truly the breath of life.
Keep writing!
debhucke says
Great to hear from you Freddie! And humbled by your comments. I continue to pray for Louis. He is the breath of life. Amen to that. Stay the course! Debbie