How different would things be if we didn’t hit spiritual highs and lows? Why do we have a high on a Sunday but then collapse back to our old ways on a Monday? Why is it that when we come back from a conference we are in spiritual ecstasy but then a couple of weeks later we are back to where we were before?

Recently I’ve been thinking spiritual growth. Is it possible to sustain growth, both corporately and personally? Is it possible to take two steps forward without taking one back? My feeling is yes, surely it must be.

Time and again, in life we have a great time with God, but then we put that powerful encounter away in a box and carry on with everyday life, often forgetting about all that has happened. We need to realise that God isn’t just a small part of our lives that we pull out when we need to: He wants to smash out of the box and be a part of everything in our lives. We just have to invite Him.

Life isn’t about a formula but about being lead by the Spirit.

What I believe we need to do is to live our lives in tune with the Holy Spirit, following his guidance and help. What does that actually look like? Jesus only did what He saw the Father doing and so now I try to only do what I believe God is doing. At work, I deal with hundreds of customers a day, and this can be the perfect time to practise. I ask the Holy Spirit what He is doing and what He wants me to do. One time, He told me to smile at a customer. At the end of serving this customer, she turned to me and said ‘thank you so much for smiling at me, you’ve really made my day.’ But this only worked with her because the Holy Spirit told me to do it. As beautiful as my smile may be, my smile won’t cause this response in every single person. Jesus healed many blind people, but with each person He used a different method.

The Holy Spirit lives in me and in anyone else that has invited Him in, and I’m convinced that when He came in me, we became one. When I speak to friends, they aren’t just speaking with me; they are speaking to the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit, like joy and love, quickly become things I can give to people. I’ve been talking with people recently who have been really down and upset, but by the end of our conversation, they are encouraged.

So when we have these life changing moments, and want to keep walking in this new freedom, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to help us change our lifestyle, leading us in the changes we might need to make. When we have these encounters, we can’t put a formula on our life of how to live. Instead we need guidance from the Holy Spirit and listen to His advice on how to live.

Be best friends with the Holy Spirit

How do you get started on this journey, of walking step by step with the Holy Spirit, becoming one with Him? Close your eyes, and focus on God. Block out all the distractions around you, and still yourself. Welcome the Holy Spirit, acknowledging He is there. What do you feel? Do you feel peace? Do you feel joy? Do you feel heat in a part of your body? That is the Holy Spirit. Sometimes you may not ‘feel’ anything but you just know that He is there. You can start talking to Him. He is like a best friend that you constantly carry around. You just have to build on that relationship. Talk to Him and listen to what he says back. And then start partnering with him, wherever you go.

I challenge you – as you go about your day-to-day lives, stop what you are doing and just acknowledge that he is there, say hello to Him! You can do this as you walk down the road, as you sit at work or at school, you can even do this when you are shopping! The Holy Spirit never leaves, and so wherever we are, we can start talking to Him. As you do this, just watch how much Heaven invades Earth and we start seeing supernatural things happen, naturally.

Enjoy the journey!

Charlotte