Some are fascinated by powerful displays of the Holy Spirit, I’m probably more intrigued by imperceptible directions. Some look for the signs and wonders, I’m trying to get better at hearing His voice. Some would say that it’s outward manifestations that really indicate your spirituality, I’m thinking it’s more the inward dynamics. That’s probably why a phrase in Acts 19 caught my attention this morning or, maybe it’s the subtle moving of the Spirit J.

“When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” – Acts 19:21

Paul certainly was familiar with the “Richter scale” side of the Holy Spirit . . . you know, that side of the Spirit that can really shake things up. He had seen visions, done miracles, witnessed countless new believers speaking in tongues and prophesying, indicating that they too had received the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ. But Paul also knew the less obvious side of the Spirit . . . that one-on-one, inside the head and heart, dynamic. Paul knew how to interact with the Holy Spirit or, perhaps more accurately, knew how to let the Holy Spirit interact with Him.

Paul was sent out on his missionary journeys by the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:4) and, while the Holy Spirit manifested Himself in many physical and mighty ways throughout Paul’s spreading of the gospel, you also know that the Spirit of God was working just as effectively “behind the scenes”, directing Paul along the way. And it’s the “behind the scenes” stuff that fascinates me. It’s wanting to know that “secret interaction” that has compelled me to pursue what Paul means when he says, “live by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16), be “led by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:18), “keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:25), “please the Spirit” (Gal. 6:8).

And so, Paul’s in Ephesus and he has to make a decision, “Where to after this?” And he decides that next he’s going to head over to the regions of Macedonia and Achaia and then head on to Jerusalem and then make his way to Rome. But, it’s not just him deciding, is it? It says that “Paul purposed in the Spirit” . . . the ESV says “He resolved in the Spirit” . . . making it pretty clear, I think, that there’s some sort of inner communion / voice / leading type of dynamic going on here. (Unfortunately, the NIV and MSG omit the Spirit’s influence here altogether, and thus I think omit a significant insight into how Paul ticked . . . or how the Holy Spirit was actively ticking in him.) So, I’m sitting asking myself, “So what does ‘purposing in the Spirit’ look like? . . . What does it mean to resolve to do something in the Spirit? . . . What’s going on behind the scenes?”

While I certainly don’t think I have this fully figured out, I guess there are some pieces to this that I’m pretty sure are involved. First, there’s giving the Spirit something to work with and I think that starts with filling up on the Word of God. I’m thinking that the Spirit interacts best with spiritually minded people . . . that He communicates the mind of God most effectively to those who have sought the mind of God through God’s own revelation. Sure, there may be times when we “hear voices” . . . but I’m guessing that most often it will be through bringing Scripture or a biblical principle to mind where He will assist our decision making.

I’m also thinking that communion is pretty important to practically knowing what it is to “purpose in the Spirit.” Jesus called it “abiding” in John 15. The persistent pursuit to keep attached to the Vine . . . that steady determination to remain “in Him” and keep our lives clear of junk so that He remains “in us.” It’s wanting to know Him . . . it’s wanting to be known by Him. It’s being heavenly minded . . . with our focus on “things above” and not things of this earth. It’s about priorities . . . desiring to put Him first in all things . . . and to do all things as unto Him . . . and to desire that all aspects of our lives would, in some way, bring Him glory.

And then, I think it’s about expecting to interact with the Spirit. I’m becoming more convinced that the reason we may not know His leading . . . the reason we haven’t experienced making a decision knowing that the Spirit has participated and guided, is because we simply don’t expect it. We don’t hear His voice, ’cause we’re not listening for it. And sometimes, when we do hear it . . . that inner prompting, that “gut feeling” . . . we don’t give Him the credit, but think we were the ones who came up with the idea. Oh, that I might expect to interact “real time” with the Holy Spirit . . . that I might recognize His voice more . . .that I might hear it more clearly.

Father, thank You for the gift or Your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the 24/7 presence of Jesus with me. By Your grace, attune my heart to hear His voice . . . remind me to ask His opinion in all things . . . that I might know what it is to “purpose in the Spirit” . . . so that I might walk in the Way. Continue to teach me to live life behind the scenes . . . for Your glory, amen!