Last week I attended a local talent show where creativity and purpose came alive on stage. There was singing, poetry, spoken word, comedy, and dance. But what struck me most deeply was a piece of art. It wasn’t your typical canvas. This artist painted a musician playing the trumpet and then told the story behind the painting. The best part? The piece included a QR code—when scanned, it linked to a YouTube video of a trumpet being played. What a creative way to express a gift!
As I reflected on the beautiful gifts on display that evening, I was reminded of another gift – the gift of the Holy Spirit.
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” —Luke 11:13
What Are We Asking For?
In today’s culture, it’s almost a given what we pray for: a house, a job, a marriage, a baby. These are good things, but when they become the only things we ask for, we miss something vital. We fast for them, cry for them, fight for them. And when we get them, we want more. When we don’t, we feel forgotten by God. Abandoned.
Is God our genie?
Even after receiving what we asked for, we compare ourselves. We want what someone else has. But we got what we prayed for!
Will we ever be satisfied?
Do We Know What We Want?
I’ve told this story before, but it bears repeating. I once wanted to earn a PhD so badly that it became an idol. I had put all my efforts into getting this golden image. It felt like an endless battle. As I neared the end, I sensed God shifting my heart toward something new. After all that struggle I was ready to give it up. This is very common near the fulfillment of a dream. Be aware.
My friends in my growth group reminded me: “You didn’t come all this way for God to leave you now.”
After praying and seeking God’s direction, I knew I needed to finish what I started.
Sometimes, we want something so badly, fight for it, sacrifice for it and when we finally have it, we feel numb or empty. Looking for what’s next without celebrating what we just achieved.
In Jamaica, there’s a saying: “Wanty wanty can’t get it and getti getti nuh want it.” We chase things with zeal, only to lose interest once we got them. Maybe the real question is: who knows what we truly want?
How Do We Pray When We Don’t Know What We Want?
We often talk about letting go on this blog. But who are we surrendering to?
Ourselves?
No. To God.
“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” —Romans 8:26
This is the difference between giving up and laying it all down. Give it to God.
When we release our dreams to God and thank Him in advance, we receive something in return:
- Joy – that gives us strength to endure the process.
- Peace – that surpasses all understanding.
- Freedom – to be who God created us to be.
Freedom to rest in God’s timing. Freedom to use our gifts with purpose. Freedom to live fully even in the middle of uncertainty.
Are We Asking for the Holy Spirit?
Are we truly asking for the Holy Spirit? Or are we operating in a limited way of thinking and believing? Simply repeating what we’ve learned, cultural checklists, our reasoning, and so-called expected outcomes based on what we have seen? But what have we seen and among who?
It’s time to release:
- Old mindsets
- Faulty traditions
- Our need for control
And receive the gift that God is most eager to give: His Spirit.
God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows what we need and when we need it. The Holy Spirit is not just a helper; He is a transformer. He alone brings lasting change. Change that satisfies and fulfills, while awakening our hunger to grow into everything we were created to be. God has more for us.
The Gift That Satisfies: The Holy Spirit
The talent show reminded me of the beauty of using our gifts to create impact. But the greatest gift we could ever ask for is the Holy Spirit. Because unlike our temporary goals and dreams, this gift never runs dry. And just as how we are able to express our gifts in different ways, the Holy Spirit can be expressed in whatever form we need Him. Furthermore, as we grow we can receive more. There is always more with the Holy Spirit. This is the more that our souls long for. He brings joy in the waiting, peace in the process, and freedom to be and become.
So let’s pause and ask not just for things, but for the One who makes all things new.
With love and growth,
Sanchia and team.
Have we asked for the Holy Spirit today?