Daily Devotions

We finally come to the last part of our 14th century hymn:

for none can guess its grace
till we become the place
in which the Holy Spirit makes his dwelling.

Paul, writing to Timothy explained it this way, “So keep at your work, this faith and love rooted in Christ, exactly as I set it out for you. It’s as sound as the day you first heard it from me. Guard this precious thing placed in your custody by the Holy Spirit who works in us.” 1 Timothy 2:13-14

Here’s a definition of the filling of the Spirit. It’s what happens when the Holy Spirit has the controlling interest in our lives. Just contrast the difference between wine and the Spirit. Drunken and Spirit-filled people have one thing in common. They are both controlled people. Their lives and their behaviour are radically changed by that which fills them.

If a someone is filled with anger, 

then anger controls their life.
If a someone is filled with greed, 

then greed dominates their life.
If a someone is filled with love, 

then love influences all they do.

When the Holy Spirit fills us, the Spirit will have the controlling interest in our lives. There is “control by consent.”

But let us stop and make a critical distinction. Being filled with the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean we have more of the Spirit, it means the Spirit has more of us. It doesn’t happen all at once any more than you get drunk all at once. Being filled with the Spirit happens as we continually choose to live under the Spirits influence.

Come, Spirit of Truth, fill our hearts.                   

May that which was of stone 

be now transformed into life.

Come, Spirit of Life, change our hearts.

May we who receive your light 

dwell together in Your love.

Come, Spirit of Love, soften our hearts.

Bestow your compassion 

on those who suffer in mind, spirit, and body.

Come, Spirit of Hope, heal our hearts.

Make us bold to bring light to the dark places,

warmth to the cold places, 

and love to the empty places.

Come, Spirit of Faith, strengthen our hearts.

Spirit of the Living God, fill our hearts, 

minds, and souls to overflowing.

Come, Spirit of God, move in our hearts. 

Our God—we, your people,

celebrate the mystery 

of your never-ending love.

Amen.