But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
(John 16:13 NIV)
“Catch up with your elbow!” I heard her voice, but no one was around. Iva, my beautiful black Labrador guide dog, swiftly led me down the street. The voice belonged to my instructor from Guiding Eyes. After seven years, I still hear her directions when Iva walks too far ahead.
“Iva, steady.” This command told her to slow down so I wasn’t a full arm’s length away. At Guiding Eyes, they told us that they repeated these commands so our brains could hear them when we went home. Seven years later, I still hear that one command. “Catch up with your elbow.”
What about hearing from the Holy Spirit? Can it be just as easy? Yes, it can.
Jesus prepared His disciples for what would happen after His death, resurrection, and ascension. He filled them, as He fills us, with His Holy Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit living within us far exceeds the repeated commands of an instructor.
Why do we find it so difficult to trust His guidance. We don’t spend enough time with Him in prayer or in the Word. For the entire three weeks we attended Guiding Eyes, our dogs went everywhere we did, including the bathroom. The purpose of this was to create a lasting bond. Iva loves my husband, her daddy, but she holds a special affection for me.
Is the Holy Spirit getting too far ahead of us? Do we need to catch up with our spiritual elbows? Time spent with Him tunes our ears to hear His voice.
Look at our verse, the Holy Spirit only speaks what He hears from Jesus.
Once we recognize His voice, we can begin trusting that it is the Holy Spirit speaking and not our own thoughts.
People make hearing the Holy Spirit speak more difficult than it needs to be. When you spend time with Him, you will form that bond, and you will soon recognize His voice.
What book of the Bible do you want to read first? Perhaps, you already have a plan. Can you extend it or add a short devotion with it that emphasizes one particular verse? Do you have a set time and place for prayer? Start right now to listen for the Holy Spirit.
Originally posted on February 3, 2023 @ 1:10 am