Bec's Blog

July/August Blog Post

By Pastor Bec

 

The other day I was at a local coffee shop, waiting in line to order my chai tea latte, and I got to strike up a conversation with the young man in front or me. (He had a t shirt with something about West Virginia on the back, which is where I’m from, so there was immediately a connection point. Hint: Find a connecting point with people whoever you’re attempting to begin a conversation. There’s usually something with which we have in common with another person… place of origin, favorite foods/beverages, sports, music, where we are in the birth order, favorite cars, etc.)

We had a nice chat as our line slowly moved along, until he had ordered, and it was time for him to leave. In parting, he said to me, “You have really good energy.” I smiled and responded with (the expected) “Thanks, so do you.”

The term “good energy” comes from a combination of several factors: physics, the 1960’s counterculture, New Age spirituality, and modern psychology. You can often tell what someone’s beliefs may be (or not be) from use of such language.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, physicists like Nikola Tesla (yes probably where they got the idea for the car name), made popular the idea of discussing the universe in terms of frequencies, vibrations, and energy.

In the 1960’s and 70’s, Eastern philosophies and other counter-cultural beliefs became popular in the US.  And throughout the later part of the 20th century, New Age beliefs and self-help movements made common many phrases which have become part of our everyday language. 

Psychologists note that calling someone’s energy “good” is a shorthand way of describing someone as warm and empathetic. I am those things, but it is not because of me. It is because of God’s Holy Spirit living within me. I wish I’d responded to him with that truth. It might have opened up a whole other line of conversation with which to weave in the saving truth of the transformational relationship with Jesus Christ.

The term which has kept going through my mind ever since that conversation is “Spiritus Sanctus,” (Latin), or “the Holy Spirit” within me. It is God’s Spirit, the very Spirit of the Living God, Jehovah Yamashea, (Hebrew) Jesus our Savior, who is loving and warm and invitational. 

John (one of the original followers of Jesus and a later spiritual father of the church), wrote in John 14:16-17 that Jesus promised our Heavenly Father would give us a “Helper,” also “the Spirit of Truth,” to live within believers forever.

Paul wrote in Romans 8 and Galatians 4 that those belonging to Christ have God’s Holy Spirit actually living within them! If you have said you believe in Jesus Christ, and you want Him to be in charge of your life, you, too, have this gift! 

As we grow in this relationship, we can also experience more of the Presence of the Holy Spirit, His power, and His many marvelous spiritual gifts. There’s more to say about the wonder and comfort and joy of having God’s very own spirit dwelling within us than I can write, so please read the Bible on your own to discover God’s many promises on this subject.

 

Meanwhile, Paul directed Timothy, (and us), to “guard that good deposit” within him (and us) deposited by the Holy Spirit. Guard it. (Him) Enjoy it (Him). Walk in His Grace and Peace and Instruction and Direction. With gratitude. With joy.

 

The companionship of the Holy Spirit is actually one of those great gifts from God. 

As I complete three weeks of being “alone” in Florida, halfway through my summer in Maine, I have not felt lonely at all. I’ve had the companionship of the Holy Spirit every minute through it all. His fellowship is a great gift indeed. 

 

As you become aware of, cultivate, and enjoy this divine relationship, you too might have someone tell you, with a smile on their face, that you have “really good energy,” too.