It’s the time of year when it’s chilly in the morning but warm in the afternoon. It’s cool inside (if the AC is working), but it’s hot outside.
It’s time to dress in layers.
So I look through my closet, trying to find an outer layer that will block the cool morning air but not make me sweat on the way to work. Something to keep me dry in the rain.
I totally forgot I have a thin rain jacket. I found it stuffed in the back of my closet. Perfect for the day’s changing temperatures.
Now, if you had asked me if I had a rain jacket and I thought about it, I would have remembered I owned one.
But being stuffed in the back of the closet, I didn’t see it when I opened the door.
It was there, but I didn’t use it regularly.
Makes me wonder: What else do I have access to that I’m not using regularly? What do I know that I have if I stop to think about it, but don’t use often enough to keep it in the forefront of my mind?
Here are three to consider:
The Armor of God
The Holy Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit
Access
If we have faith in Christ, we have access to these.
“For through him [Christ] we both have access on one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:18 ESV
“Through him [Christ] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2 ESV
“This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whim we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.” Ephesians 3:11-12 ESV
Since we have access to the Armor of God, what does this mean for us?
It means that we have the power of God as our defense. It means that we can stand in any circumstance because God has given us what we need.
“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14-17 ESV
Since we have access to the Holy Spirit, what does this mean for us?
The Holy Spirit will help us remember the promises of Christ.
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my [Christ’s] name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 ESV
The Holy Spirit will give us words to say when we are called to defend the Gospel. Here is what Jesus told his disciples:
“And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hours what you ought to say.” Luke 12:11-12 ESV
The Holy Spirit bears fruit in us.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
So when I’m impatient with students, the Spirit makes me patient. When I’m frustrated with colleagues, the Spirit makes me kind. But unless I’m in the Word regularly and seeking to apply Biblical truths to my life, I stuff my access in the back of my closet and don’t have it ready when I need it . . . which is all. the. time.
Pause
Reflect
What do you have access to that you’re not using daily?
Remind
How will you remind yourself about what you have access to this week?
Index cards with Bible verses are my go-to!
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