A few weeks ago during the summer holidays, we visited our friends at their vacation address.
For those who don’t know us well, my husband Kevin and I love to go for walks and we love nature.
Once we arrived at our friends’ vacation address, they gave us a tour of the area, a beautiful nature reserve.
During this walk, we had beautiful spiritual conversations with our brother and sister in Christ.
It came up that when I hear a clear “no” from the Holy Spirit, I follow that “no.” As a result, we sometimes cancel or reschedule appointments because we don’t want to go against the Holy Spirit.
Let me tell you that I believe that when the Holy Spirit gives a firm no, there is a clear reason behind it. I don’t necessarily need to know what the reason is; I trust that He knows more than you and I do. And who am I not to follow Him?
This does mean that we sometimes miss out on experiences with others or miss the biggest celebration of the year. So be it!
My brother, whom I will call Bryan, emphasized that he finds it remarkable that I sometimes abruptly withdraw when the Holy Spirit gives me a “no.” The question then followed whether I am not afraid that you are listening to your own self instead of to the Holy Spirit. Of course, I must admit that there is a chance that I am listening to myself, but I don’t take any risks and simply withdraw. I would rather withdraw once too often than make one wrong choice too many that the Holy Spirit wants to protect me from.
He and I agree that the Holy Spirit is a good guide in our lives, that His way leads to life, and that He keeps us on the path of life. We had a good conversation about this and both had beautiful, powerful testimonies of how the Holy Spirit guides us. At the end of the conversation, Bryan also came to the conclusion that he needs to listen to the Holy Spirit more often and that he should take the risk of missing out on something rather than missing the mark.
Bryan and Jeanette’s children, as I’ll call them, have also been attending a different school since this school year and have to travel a distance. Bryan and his wife were planning to go to a store the next day to test ride a Fatbike. They were also considering buying a Fatbike for their kids.
(If you want to know what a Fatbike is, I describe it in my previous blog: Fit in or stand out?) When they arrive at the Fatbike shop, the kids take a test ride on the Fatbikes, Bryan and Jeanette requested a quote so they could review it at home, and they were about to leave.
At the time of their visit to the shop, a nephew was staying with them. This nephew also came to the shop with them.
Just before departure, the nephew asks if it’s okay for him to take a spin on the Fatbike with one of their sons on the back. Bryan gets a firm no from the Holy Spirit, but after asking a second time, he agrees and lets the boys take a quick spin.
While Bryan, Jeanette, and their other son wait for the boys to return, they talk to the salesman about the other options on the bike. In the middle of the conversation, Bryan, with his eyes focused outside, sees the two boys fall off the bike from a near standstill, but does not realize that this could have consequences. Until the neighbor, a barber, comes in with the boys and the bike and says that the boys have fallen badly and that he has helped them up.
Fortunately, the boys have not suffered any real injuries, but the Fatbike has damage amounting to almost $300. (This is almost 33% of the new value).
Bryan could not have foreseen that something might happen; he does not have this knowledge, but the Holy Spirit does. He gave Bryan a clear “no,” indicating that He knew something that Bryan and Jeanette did not. But the fact that Bryan dismissed the Holy Spirit’s “no” means that they are responsible for the $300 cost.
Of course, this is an insurance issue, but that aside. If Bryan had stuck to his intention to listen to the Holy Spirit once too often, they would not have been in this situation.
In the case of Bryan and Jeanette, it is about something very small, such as falling off a bicycle, even though the $300 is quite substantial.
How often have you found yourself in a situation that the Holy Spirit tried to protect you from?
Do you prefer to rely on your own strength and knowledge, or do you prefer to follow the Holy Spirit?
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5
Love,
Alicia
