The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. (Romans 8:14)

Being Spirit-led isn’t just about the present. Yes, the Holy Spirit leads us through the discernment of choices and the conviction of behavior and attitudes, but the Holy Spirit is just as invested and involved in our lives concerning the past and future as the present.

If you love me, you will obey my commands. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it does not see him or know him. But you know him, because he lives with you and he will be in you… I have told you all these things while I am with you. But the Helper will teach you everything and will cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name. (John 14:15-17,25-26)

The Holy Spirit helps and counsels us every step of our faith journey. We don’t have to wait each time we call on the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is present, filling us, providing guidance…but we have to be sensitive to his voice. When we’re sensitive, ever-listening for the Spirit’s leading and prompting, we’ll learn much more than simply what God is providing for us in our present situation.

The Holy Spirit provides for the past and future as well as the present. He provides retrospection for the past, inviting us to filter our experiences, their significance, and the lessons he intends for us to learn. We see what we couldn’t or didn’t choose to see when our past was the present. We find renewed meaning for the past because of the steps of faith we’ve taken as we’ve trusted the Spirit to guide us along the way.

The Holy Spirit also provides for the future by preparing us for what is to come. We might not have a full understanding of the significance of the preparation, but we know and trust the preparation to be significant. It not only will be significant but is significant. While God has no intention of us getting stuck in the past or consumed with the future, he knows how it all links together, and he requires faithfulness for each piece of it along the journey.

How thoroughly are you trusting him?

Are you listening to the Holy Spirit in your daily life?

Are you more willing to listen in some situations than in others?

Does the Holy Spirit’s role in your life befuddle you?

Think carefully about what you hear. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you, but God will give you even more. Those who have understanding will be given more. But those who do not have understanding, even what they have will be taken away from them. (Mark 4:24-25)