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How to Make the Holy Spirit Your Closest
Friend
I
was driving to church by myself recently and thinking about the Holy Spirit.
I
love being around people, but I also really enjoy the moments I get to be in
the car alone. I am able to have some time alone with God, and I'll take as
much of that as I can get.
So
as I was driving, I told the Holy Spirit how much I enjoy His companionship. I
desperately want and appreciate the companionship of the Holy Spirit and need
time alone with Him.
We've
talked a lot about who the Holy Spirit is and how He helps us. He is there for
us in times of need, and He empowers us to love others and bear fruit for His
kingdom.
But
the Holy Spirit wants to be more than our crisis manager and our productivity
manager. He wants relationship.
People
used to say of Kathryn Kuhlman that the Holy Spirit was her best friend. I
remember hearing that and thinking, "Oh, I want that!"
And
I do. I love that the Holy Spirit is there when we cry out for help, but the
relationship is created to be so much more than that.
There's
another level at which He comforts and encourages as a companion; that's the
best part of our relationship with Him. If we aren't cultivating that, we're
missing out on the best gift He has given us: Himself.
"A
man who has friends must show himself friendly" (Proverbs 18:24a).
When
people say they don't have any friends, I encourage them to come to a meeting,
eat with people, talk with them and invite them over. Be friendly and, and
you'll have friends.
The next line in that verse takes it deeper: "and there is a friend that sticks
closer than a brother."
I
love my natural family and my church family. I appreciate my friendships and
have a deep sense of loyalty to my friends.
However,
there is no human being on this planet who completely understands us the way
the Holy Spirit does.
He's
the Spirit of God Himself in the perfect fellowship of the Trinity. He knows
and sees every part of you. And He gets it.
In
your friendship with the Holy Spirit you never need to try to justify or defend
yourself.
You
don't have to worry that He will think badly of you.
He
sees you as the apple of His eye. He looks at you in light of the blood of
Jesus and smiles.
He says, "Angels,
have a look! Aren't they beautiful? They are looking at Me!"
He
absolutely delights in your company.
When
I first began to understand years ago that the Holy Spirit actually enjoyed
being with me and was happy to see me, everything changed.
My
conversation with Him used to be filled with feelings of condemnation.
As
I began to understand the truth of what it means to live by faith in God's
forgiveness and righteousness, I was able to boldly approach the throne of
grace.
The Bible says, "The
righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs
28:1b), but until you settle in your
heart that the blood of Jesus is enough to cleanse you from all
unrighteousness, you won't be able to have that boldness.
You
won't be able to engage in your relationship with the Holy Spirit at that level
of delight and joy because you'll always be wondering if everything is OK
between you.
The
Holy Spirit is my best friend, and He speaks to me in all sorts of ways.
If
you're struggling to hear God's voice, you can open up your Bible and just
start reading until you get something.
The
Holy Spirit will speak to you there; just keep reading.
He
is the Word, and He wants to speak to you. Write down what He shows you, and
meditate on it for the day.
Talk
to someone about it. It's daily bread, but very often we just leave it out
there on the ground like manna that was provided but never picked up.
As
we read His Word, we grow accustomed to His voice.
The
Holy Spirit will speak to you in ways that are unique to you if you listen
expectantly.
He
knows what is coming in your day, and He has encouragement for you if you take
the time to time in.
Adapted from Life With the Holy Spirit by
Katherine Ruonala, copyright 2017, published by Charisma House. This book helps
you develop an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit so that you can know
Him as the one who is there to comfort, teach, fill, empower and guide you into
the purpose God has for your life. To order your copy, click on this link.
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