What do you see? Just because something is in sight doesn’t provide you with insight about it. Insight comes from your perspective; how you look at something. It has been said that the optimist sees the donut; the pessimist sees the hole; and the realist sees the calories. I suppose if the pessimist and realist were hungry enough that might change their perspective.
How does all of this apply to our Christian life? The Holy Spirit gives us God’s perspective and insight, but He also shows us how our perspective can change as our current situation changes. The best example of that takes place as we read and study scripture. The miracle of God’s word is not only that it is powerful and true; it is alive. That shouldn’t surprise us. God spoke the Universe into existence and it continues to move in coordinated orbits as it expands. Christians in different situations can read the same passage of scripture and receive different insight from it based on their individual need at the time. How do I know this is possible? Because I have read a very familiar passage of scripture and suddenly see it from a very different perspective than ever before; providing me with the insight I need at the time. Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not writing about taking scripture out of context or twisting its meaning to fit your preconceived ideas. Those things come from the enemy. God’s word will never contradict itself or lead you to insight that is in any way contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
When a congregation hears a message from the pulpit, it will be evident that the message is firmly based on the word of God and presented under the influence of the Holy Spirit when each person present feels it is directed specifically at them in reference to their personal situation. Just as the Holy Spirit made it possible for people visiting Jerusalem to hear the Gospel message in their own language on Pentecost Sunday; He makes sure each of us hear His message in a way that penetrates our heart with the insight needed at that particular time. I believe it is possible for people to read my blog and get the specific insight each of them needs at the time. That is because it is based on God’s word, my personal experience with Him and it is written under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit. It is His message, not mine, and it often gives me the personal insight and encouragement I need.
When we, as children of God, allow what we see and hear to pass through the Holy Spirit within us, He will filter out the dirt and worthless things and show us the diamonds that will enrich our spirit and give us valuable insight into what God has planned for us. You can be confident that His plans for you are good, just as He told Jeremiah (29:11) “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”