One More Story

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9

Any parent who reads bedtime stories has heard the words, “Just one more, pleeeeeaaaase?”

If you read last week’s blog, you now know my simple conversion story. But after I wrote that story, God kept reminding me that I have another story to tell. Yet I hesitate.

Not because it’s boring, though to some it may be; not because I think no one would benefit from it. I hesitate because it is the story of one of the most intimate moments with God I have ever had. And because I know some people will dismiss it.

But I also know that any stories in my journey of faith will die with me unless I pass them down. And if there’s one thing I want to leave behind, it’s the footprint of my faith.

So, here goes.

I was always taught that Bible study should be purposeful, systematic, thorough. You don’t just grab your Bible and say, “God, what should I read today?” and then open it randomly to read whatever page happens to open before you. Furthermore, all I really knew about the Holy Spirit was that He inspired every word of scripture and that He helps us in some mysterious way when we don’t know what to pray. He was very active in the first century through the laying on of apostles’ hands, but He doesn’t do any of that stuff today.

Then several years ago, I was part of a diverse Bible study group where someone said that the Holy Spirit is still very active in the lives of believers today, but that we shouldn’t expect Holy Spirit help if we don’t even believe in it.

After much consideration, I sat down one day with my Bible in hand, and I prayed for quite a long time, very sincerely, asking God if He might use the Holy Spirit to show me what He wanted me to read from His word that day. I did not make demands, I wasn’t “seeking a sign,” and I knew that whatever I read would be of benefit. But if He wanted His Holy Spirit to guide me in that way, I was open to receive it.

After much prayer, I opened my Bible and flipped over a few pages randomly, and began to read.

I found myself in Luke 11. I read Luke’s account of the Lord’s model prayer and then verses 5-8 which talk about persistence in prayer. I was reading along thinking, yes, this is good. I do need to be more persistent in prayer. I continued reading verses 9-12 still on prayer.

“For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone?”

And I was still thinking, thank you, Lord, this is good. I’m sure I did need to read this.

Then I came to verse 13.
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

“…how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

There it was. Confirmation. A book of over 1500 pages and I had randomly flipped to this passage after asking God if He would send the Holy Spirit to show me what I needed to read that day.

After making that request, how could I possibly say this was a coincidence?

Not all my views on the Holy Spirit have changed, nor do I think randomly flipping through your Bible is the best way to study it. We certainly can’t neglect the word that the Holy Spirit inspired and then expect Him to come to us in some mystical way. But as children of God, we are invited to pray for Holy Spirit help.

There. Another story. Dismiss it if you like. I must stick to it.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Dear God, I pray that my motives are right in sharing this story and I pray that You will use it to help someone experience closer communion with You than they have before. Give me wisdom in telling the things that You have done for me. I thank You for Jesus and also for the Holy Spirit. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me according to Your will. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins