“When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12.11-12
More and more in my life, in small and seemingly insignificant ways, I see the Lord going before me, guiding and leading me. It shows up in both awareness and action. The awareness comes that God is physically and spiritually guiding me during or before the moment of revelation. And it’s often based on an action that I have taken or will take.
For example, it’s been happening often in my work at Truett Seminary. We are building out a new Wesley House of Studies to train traditional and orthodox Methodists at this predominantly Texas Baptist seminary at Baylor University. (This isn’t a plug for the Wesley House of Studies but it’s just cool to see God at work.) I notice the more I show up, have meetings, make phone calls and work towards building a program, the more I find God already there. He reveals his presence in giving me favor among professors, leaders and pastors, or helping me accomplish tasks or connections that otherwise would be out of my reach. Henry Blackby in “Experiencing God” says, “See where God is at work and join him,” (my paraphrase.) This is certainly in case with Truett.
I am often amazed as I witness this divinity activity which is working towards making disciples of Jesus Christ and building the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven. I see this activity consistent with Scripture and Jesus’ purpose and plans for humanity. I am fortunate enough, by God’s Holy Spirit, to me made aware of his activity often during the very moments in which they are occurring.
I share this because when Jesus was teaching the disciples, he reassures them of their position in God’s Kingdom and the presence of God’s Spirit to aid them. This “in the moment” encounter with the Holy Spirit is consistent with my testimony of his Presence around me. Jesus told the disciples that when you find yourselves “before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say,” (v.11-12).
The same is true for us. God is actively moving in this world and he’s supplying his followers with words to communicate his message to the world. Not only can we trust the Holy Spirit to give us words to say to defend and promote the Gospel, we can trust in the Holy Spirit’s Presence to be among us, through us and with us in the process.
My testimony of God’s activity at Truett as we build a new program to bless and honor the Lord is unique. I catch regular glimpses of his activity. I often sit back in meetings and think, “Surely the Presence of the Lord is in this place.” And I’m in a meeting!
God is working through those who call upon his name, who acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and who commit their ways to Him.
Is God working through you today?
“O Lord God, in this world, as Jesus said, we will face troubles. But take heart, he has overcome the world! I face battles in the spiritual realm, temptations in the natural realm, but I also witness your divine activity. You are near. You are here. You are in this very room. Your love and reach is deliberate and effective. Come now, Holy Spirit, speaks your words of life. Reveal yourself to a broken world and bring healing and restoration. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen