When answers come too slowly; Reach inward to the Holy Spirit!

There are always periods of time when the pressure of life confounds us and where do we look to find solace? It is not a mystery that humans always discover problems that we wish away, but it isn’t magic that clears away our problems. When saying reach for the Holy Spirit we are actually allowing the Spirit of Christ to open a closed door on our temperament of peace that we cannot control in a profound manner. Inner peace can refer to an induced state of spiritual calm not usually found in people who discover a crisis they either are not familiar with or suddenly are not able to bounce back to a normal condition.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:4 - 7).

Does this seem to be too easy or just for those who are spiritually adept to the Holy Spirit? The words of Jesus from Matthew may appear too simple, yet these attributes to trust in God are not for a few, but everyone who understands that God is not found at a distance from our immediate needs. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, and the one who seeks, finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Mt 7: 7 - 8).

One perfect premise that Jesus gave to us is that his quick and without cost will always be ready to lift us up to heights thought only possible for holy people. Christ came to humanity, not for the healthy or righteous, but to call sinners to repentance. (Lk 5: 31 - 32).

Which of us falls into that category? To say we are not sinners and do not need his forgiveness has already lost our place in eternity. Remember the Church is not a temple for saints, it is a haven for sinners. Otherwise, the doors could close because it is only those who have fallen to the evils of sin that the empty pews are reserved for. If you are sinless, praise God for his complete love you somehow discovered without a need for mercy. But that scenario doesn’t exist. If it did, then God would not have sent Christ to assume humanity in order to bring him to Calvary in order to destroy sin once and for all.

Looking for peace? Look within to the Holy Spirit who dwells within. The peace that seems unapproachable is already peeking through the cobwebs of doubt and the Light of God can be found in a peace that is incomprehensible. This is God!

Ralph B. Hathaway