Pay Attention

Look Around. Movements and blessings surround us everywhere we are, and everywhere we go. People will see something and elevate it if it aligns with a previously held point of view. If, however, that thing that happens does not align with their point of view, they will dismiss it. As we turn to the scriptures, we must understand that we are to pay more attention to what the Holy Spirit is doing in our surroundings than listening and reading pundits or seeking out websites to proclaim what is good and bad. Let the Holy Spirit be our guide as we read the text.

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:16-21 (ESV)

What have you experienced in your faith journey? Before looking up what someone else thinks, you need to look at how you have been affected by God’s Grace. While our journeys with God will take many turns and twists, we can lean into our experiences to guide God’s truth. Peter goes on to express that the truth in the scriptures was not just found in the ancient texts but alive in front of him. We testify about a book written long ago and how God has brought the book alive in front of us. 

Looking at Scripture grounds us in the truth of the Gospel. We cannot find our way eventually to Scripture, but scripture has to be the grounding element in our minds and hearts. If God guides you through scripture, be confident you will find peace. This doesn’t eliminate us from looking for the truth in God’s creation but rather reminds us to seek out God’s truth in the Word, the world, and the history of the world.

The Holy Spirit moves among us, just as Jesus walked with the people during His time on Earth. We need to pay attention to the words around us and through us. His creation prophecies about the Kingdom of God instruct us on how to live. Humans seek to manipulate words, we see it all around us, but the Word of God must come forth through the power of the Holy Spirit. Just because someone quotes scripture doesn’t mean they are speaking for God, for you also need the Holy Spirit, so test the words against all of scripture. The Holy Spirit is alive among us right now. As we move forward, let us remember that we aren’t alone but that the Holy Spirit will reside with us through all, and we need to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to lead.

As we look back at our life, we must examine and pay attention to the areas where God was present. These point us to the scriptures and God’s Holy Word, and even though people may try and manipulate our experiences for their gain, we must lean into the Scriptures with the Holy Spirit as our guide to see where God wants us to move. Testimony leads to Scripture as Guided by the Holy Spirit.