One of the Holy Spirit’s jobs is to remind us of the things that Jesus has taught us (John 14:26). I’ve received some reminders from the Holy Spirit lately of something I learned when I was here in 2010.
On that trip, I was really struggling with “figuring everything out.” I wanted to know what my role would be here, how I could be of service, what gifts I had to offer. It was like a wrestling match in my heart.
I got a ride home from an event one night (in 2010) and waited outside the house for the rest to show up. As I waited, I saw two things – a small moth that was frantically beating up against the outdoor light trying to “figure out the light” – and a big moth (4 inches across) that was simply resting on the wall – dwelling in the light. It wasn’t shaken by the flash of my camera or by my gentle blowing. In that moment, the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart that I had been more like that little moth – trying so desperately to get close to the light and “figure it out” – but that I could, instead, simply rest and dwell in that light.
I haven’t felt the same tension this year. However, the Holy Spirit has brought me a reminder of it – three times.
1 – The other morning, I went out to the attached garage where I pray. The big moth on the door startled me. When I left the garage, I checked to make sure it wasn’t anywhere nearby where it would get in the house. I didn’t see it, so I opened the sliding glass door – and it flew down and hit me in the forehead!
2 – Yesterday afternoon, I walked into my room and saw something large on my curtain. You’ll never guess what it was! It had come in through my window and was resting there.
3 – Last night, I went into my bathroom to shower. I looked up on the wall… and there was my “friend.” It had come in through the back door.
It’s a lesson that I won’t soon forget…