ESP

Imagine you were given an extra sense that you are unaware you have.

But, as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him'-these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what human being knows what is truly human except the human spirit that is within? So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we speak of these things in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual things to those who are spiritual. - 1 Corinthians 2:9-13

In today's reading, Paul tells the followers that the gifts of the Spirit are real, and they provide an understanding of God that one does not have through human abilities.

Just as Extra Sensory Perception is the understanding of things through the mind, this sense of the Spirit is an understanding of the Spiritual things even the mind cannot imagine.

It is the Spirit dwelling within us that feeds us, giving us strength and insight we would not otherwise have.

While our human senses pick up signals from the world around us, the Spirit picks up signals from the world we cannot see, the spiritual world that connects us all through the Spirit.

When we get an urge to reach out to comfort someone, it is the Spirit that guides us, giving us the courage to do that.  It is the Spirit that plants the seeds that grow into compassion for each other.

So, here is a thought.  Suppose we are all born with God's Spirit alive within us and in Baptism, we invite that Spirit to be the guiding force in our lives.

In a way, I believe it is like having software that is not activated until you install a key code that is just for you.  No one else can use it, and if they do, it won't work.

Now I am sure some would argue that people who are not Baptized may also be guided by the Spirit, and I believe that could be true.  But I can only attest to my own relationship with the Spirit through Baptism and I like the relationship we have.

It is personal and real, trusted and true.  I can let go and let the Spirit take the reigns, knowing I am secure.  It is not that I will be free from all harm, though there have been times when the Spirit has diffused hostile situations for me.

I know I will be given the words to speak and the actions to perform that could make a difference.

And that is the extra sense that I believe we all have as children of God.

More to come...