Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. 

Arctic cold blast has frozen the ground. We shivered in cold during the night and my first prayer this morning was for the homeless left outside during this freezing condition. Naturally, Holy Spirit prayer came flowing as I watched the frost on the field and the sunrise burning the sky pink. The beauty of that contrast of heaven and earth was so stark. I was moved by the outpouring love of God about to shower down on earth. And despite all the hardship we are fighting today I know for sure that God is working to renew the face of the earth. This one thing, I know.

My own life has been a constant series of renewal. Even now, I need to be renewed every day. So I sit this morning after my devotional reading and ask myself what part of me needs to be renewed on this very day. What part of me is God challenging me to change today? Immediately, Holy Spirit reminds me of all the dark pasts that I was rescued from. I quickly come to realize that I have taken all the gifts that surround me for granted. Instead of giving thanks, I was starting to complain again. I was regressing back to the person I was: Always asking for more, wanting what was not mine yet. Instead of waiting for God’s timing, I focused on what I did not have. And that is how you miss out on all the present blessings that God is allowing you.

So I end my morning reflection with praising and thanksgiving because God, my king, once again unveiled my eyes to help me see the glory of his presence. I refocus my gaze back to God who is here with me right now. I now see all the things He is giving me and how much he delights in his Goodness. God is good and that is true. He’s always been good through the good times and bad. And I can’t, I shall not, stop giving thanks to our God. That is my challenge for today. Tomorrow will be another day for yet another challenge on this path of growth.

So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord-who is the Spirit- makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. -2 Corinthians 3:18

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. – Galatians 5:25