I used to be a lonely person. I clearly remember as a child feeling alone a lot.
As a teenager, I hated being alone. I’d run over to a friend’s house to pick them up to go get gas with me just so I wouldn’t have to do it by myself. As an only child, this was a problem.
Even in my 20s and early 30s, I remember staying super busy, running from activity to activity just to avoid being alone. In retrospect, I think I was hoping to outrun myself and the emptiness I felt inside.
But something wonderful happened to me in my early 30s. I heard about the 3rd person of the Trinity, Holy Spirit. I still remember it clearly. I was at this conference listening to a popular speaker. She was explaining something called “the baptism of the Holy Spirit.” I’d never heard of such a thing, but listening to her describe her experience of being overwhelmed by love and talk about Holy Spirit like He was a real person was powerful. She had my full attention.
At the time, I had nothing really to lose. I was very successful in one sense but also really in need of breakthough in so many areas.
I was tired. Really, really tired. So that night when I got home, I did something dramatic. I’ve always been a bit dramatic it seems.
But this particular night, I took off my clothes, all of them, and laid down on the floor of my bedroom totally naked. Laying there completely vulnerable, I totally surrendered my life to God. I remember telling him ‘I have nothing to offer you except myself’ and ‘He could have my life completely.” I wanted what that speaker had, so I asked Him for it. Then something wonderful happened.
I experienced that reality of Jesus’ promise to not abandon us as orphans (John 14:18). The Comforter, Holy Spirit, came into my life to remain with me forever.
Man, what a great name, “The Comforter.” I love that He’s described that way. It means He’s an expert at cheering people up and making them feel better. Isn’t that awesome?
It’s true. He’s been doing that for me ever since that night. I’ve never been alone again. Sometimes, it’s hard to explain spiritual experiences. I often wonder why I try so hard. I think it’s just how I’m wired. I want everyone to experience the best in life. But I don’t really know how to explain Holy Spirit except to say that I am never alone. His comforting presence is with me 24/7. I am conscious of it, confident in it, and transformed by it. Honestly, I don’t know where I’d be without Him.
Getting to know Holy Spirit has been one of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences of my life. He is so unpredictable and full of surprises.
He has an amazing sense of humor and is patient beyond belief. He encourages me more than any other person on the planet. He always knows exactly what to say to me. He knows how to cheer me up, kick my booty into gear, and motivate me without guilt or manipulation. He’s the most positive, uplifting, joyful person ever. He really is my best friend in the whole wide world. He makes life Technicolor.
Psalm 139 is one of my favs because I think David knew how I feel, and he did a great job of explaining the friendship of Holy Spirit. So I thought I’d share a portion of it with you tonight from Brian Simmon’s Passion Translation, which is so beautiful.
I also excluded the scripture references so you that you could read it more like it was written, as a love letter to God. Hope it draws you in close to Him. Enjoy.
“Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You’ve examined my innermost being with your loving gaze. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul, and understand my every thought before it even enters my mind. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book, and you know all the words I’m about to speak before I even start a sentence!
You know every step I will take before my journey even begins! You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past. With your hand of love upon my life, you impart a Father’s blessing to me. This is just too wonderful, deep, and incomprehensible!
Your understanding of me brings me wonder and strength.
Where could I go from your Spirit? Where could I run and hide from your face? If I go up to heaven, you’re there! If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too! If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there! If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting. Wherever I go, your hand will guide me; your strength will empower me. It’s impossible to disappear from you or to ask the darkness to hide me; for your presence is everywhere bringing light into my night! There is no such thing as darkness with you. The night, to you, is as bright as the day; there’s no difference between the two.
You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord! You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place; carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something. You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book. Every single moment you are thinking of me! How precious and wonderful to consider that you cherish me constantly in your every thought! O God, your desires toward me are more than the grains of sand on every shore! When I awake each morning, you’re still thinking of me.
God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through all my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways—the path that brings me back to you.” (Excerpt From: Brian Simmons’ Psalms: Poetry on Fire and Proverbs: Wisdom From Above.)