And hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
–Romans 5:5
Without water, a seed can’t reach its potential.
It won’t grow. It can’t produce flowers or fruit or become anything more than a snack. Seeds need water to become what they are meant to be.
In a similar way, people need the Holy Spirit.
All people do. Like water, we need Him poured into us so we can grow into the creatures God intended. Somehow in the exchange of words, in the declaration of our faith, in the eagerness of our heart, God’s Spirit takes residence in us.
If we listen, the Holy Spirit counsels us. If we mourn, He comforts us. If we are tempted, He empowers us. As we live, He enables us to love. God’s Spirit grows us into the loving creatures God designed us to be.
Like the seed enlivened by water, the Holy Spirit invigorates our limbs, stretching us into strong branches of support for others, providing loving places where they can find joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self-control, the genuine warmth of heart that we can’t conjure up without the Holy Spirit’s help. With the Spirit’s help, we too can love the greedy, the ugly, the enemy, and the criminal.
God resides in us. Stretch out and love today.
Prayer
Dear God, Thank You for the hope You give and the love You bestow. Please fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Help the seeds of love and forgiveness take root and sprout in me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Reflection
How can people tell that God’s love has been poured out into my life?