The River of God: Diving Deeper into the Holy Spirit

The River of God: Diving Deeper into the Holy Spirit

Have you ever felt like your spiritual life has hit a plateau? Like you're wading in shallow waters when you know there's a vast ocean of God's presence waiting to be explored? It's time to dive deeper into the river of God and experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

The Christian walk is often compared to a journey, but perhaps a more fitting analogy is that of a river. In Ezekiel 47, we find a powerful vision of a river flowing from the temple of God. This river starts ankle-deep, gradually becoming knee-deep, then waist-deep, and finally so deep that it cannot be crossed - only swum in.

This progression mirrors our spiritual journey. When we first come to faith, it affects our walk - our feet and ankles. As we grow, we learn to pray, getting on our knees before the Lord. Then, as we mature, it reaches our waist, symbolizing fruitfulness and multiplication. But sadly, this is where many believers stop. They're content to wade in waist-deep waters, unwilling to go further.

But God is calling us deeper.

The final stage of this river is where it becomes too deep to stand - a place where we must lift our arms, let go, and be fully immersed. It's a picture of complete surrender, of being "all in" with God. This is where the real adventure begins!

In this deep water, God gives us spiritual "scuba gear." We begin to see and hear things we've never experienced before. We gain a new perspective, able to see both the spiritual and physical realms. We no longer just react to surface-level issues but can discern the spiritual realities behind them.

But how do we get there? How do we move from ankle-deep Christianity to swimming in the depths of God's presence?

The key is the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised His disciples that He would send the Holy Spirit as a helper, advocate, and teacher. This wasn't just a nice add-on to their faith - it was essential. The Great Commission, to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth, is impossible to fulfill without the power of the Holy Spirit.

The early church understood this. In Acts 2, we see that they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This simple formula led to a radical, world-changing movement. They had tapped into the power source of the Holy Spirit.

So what does the Holy Spirit do in our lives? The list is extensive, but here are a few key roles:

He helps and guides us in every step of our journey.
He teaches, speaks, reveals, and instructs.
He comforts us in times of trouble.
He calls us and gives us spiritual gifts.
He fills us with strength and joy.
He prays for us and through us.
He brings freedom and transformation.
Perhaps one of the most powerful ways the Holy Spirit works in our lives is through prayer. The Apostle Paul encouraged believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" (Ephesians 6:18). This includes praying in our understanding and in our prayer language (often referred to as speaking in tongues).

Paul himself said, "I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you" (1 Corinthians 14:18). He understood that praying in the Spirit was a way to build himself up in his most holy faith (Jude 1:20). It's a unique gift that isn't for others, but for our own spiritual edification.

As we dive deeper into the river of God, we begin to see the world differently. We realize that we're not called to be passive observers but active participants in God's kingdom. We carry His authority wherever we go, able to influence the atmosphere around us.

Remember, God often chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27-28). He's not looking for those who have it all together, but for those who are willing to depend entirely on Him.

So, what's holding you back from diving deeper? Is it fear? Comfort? Doubt? Whatever it is, know that God is inviting you into something far greater than you can imagine. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9), but through the Holy Spirit, we can begin to understand the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).

As we conclude, let's reflect on this powerful prayer from Ephesians 1:17-22:

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe."

This is God's heart for you - that you would know Him better, understand your calling, and experience His incomparable power in your life. It's time to dive deeper. It's time to let go of control and allow the current of God's love to carry you into uncharted waters.

The river is waiting. Will you take the plunge?