The Holy Spirit is always with us, providing support and guidance. Jesus described the Comforter's presence to his disciples in John 14:26, when he said, "The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you."
In order to fully absorb the direction of the Spirit in the midst of our daily lives, I find it helpful to pause and take stock of Holy Spirit Nudges (HSN) with frequent regularity. Where have you experienced an HSN lately? This topic can make for good conversational fodder for family mealtimes, small groups, journal entries, or morning commutes.
So what is a Holy Spirit Nudge? It is important to note at the outset of this conversation: There is no one-size-fits-all Holy Spirit experience. For some folks, an HSN feels loud and direct, like a firework. It comes as a strong and permeating sense of God's guidance. For others, an HSN sounds more like a quiet whisper and feels like a warm autumn breeze. There is no prescribed or perfect frequency for the recognition of such moments. The movement of God is an endless thread weaving through every chapter of our lives.
God's guidance can show up in the midst of prayer, worship, and Scripture reading. The Spirit's nearness can also be revealed in alternative environments: libraries, break rooms, parks, lunch tables, linen closets, classrooms, and elevators. The Spirit is present and active in all environments, but our receptors are individual. We each feel God's nudges uniquely.
In my own journey, Holy Spirit Nudges often come in the form of fresh insights and renewed energy. It feels a bit like a tap on the shoulder, but instead it's a nudge in my soul. Here are a few of my recent HSNs:
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Pull over at the rest stop.
On road trips, I attempt to minimize stops. Usually I allow one stop for every three hours of travel. I went to visit my brother, Josh, in Iowa last weekend. During the Saturday evening drive back to Minnesota, the sunset was breathtaking. However, I didn't want to stop because I was making record time, and few things make me happier than safely achieving new transportation records (I made it to work in 13.5 minutes last week!).
But I felt a nudge to pull over. There was a rest stop two miles ahead. I stopped, parked the car, and wandered over to a picnic table with a perfect view. The sky was electric with purples, blues, and pinks, and I observed the splendor until the sun found its sleeping spot below the horizon. I got back into the car feeling deeply recharged and hopeful. I was reminded that there are times in life when God invites us to turn off our engines. If we always skip life's rest stops, we will miss out.
Offer something of yourself to God.
I had the opportunity to worship in Winona on Sunday. Before the offering, Pastor Corrine shared words of guidance. In addition to monetary gifts, we were invited to consider giving in another way. She said, "When you hold the offering basket in your hands, I invite you to think about something of yourself you will offer to God this week."
The Holy Spirit gave me a strong nudge at that moment, and I knew instantly what I wanted to offer to God. An attitude of non-judgment. It's something I'm amply working on lately. I fail in the endeavor much of the time, but every moment is a chance to try again. Pastor Corrine's pre-offering sentiments led to a profound HSN that I will now remember every time I hold the offering receptacle in my hands during worship.
The Spirit is at work in your daily life. I pray that you take time this week to reflect on the Holy Spirit Nudges taking place in your own journey. Share them with others, and please know that I'd love to hear about them, too. May we each recognize God's movement in our lives and encourage others as they seek to do the same. The Spirit of God is near and nudging; let us take note.
