What do you do when your heart is heavy? Where can you go when you need the answer to a tough question? How can you know that you are making the right choice, when human wisdom just doesn’t cut it? Here are just a few thoughts on the real power of the Holy Spirit today.

Many of us have read Wild at Heart (Amazon.com) by John Eldredge. In it, we read that people (men in particular, according to the author) crave adventure, excitement, even danger. The problem lies when we find ourselves in situations in life where exactly the opposite is encouraged. Instead of adventure, we get predictability. Instead of danger, we get dull safety. Instead of excitement, we get boredom.

The folks I’ve known who seem to be the most in tune with the Holy Spirit in their lives are the ones who are living the danger, the excitement, the adventure of life. I think this is because God’s very Spirit calls and directs their lives in a very personal way. This is real, folks. I am not willing to just chalk it up to them being flighty, and then giving credit to God when things happen to work out okay. No, I believe God causes hearts to become heavy when a change is due in a person’s life. I believe God does provide countless opportunities unlooked for, unseen — and therefore missed in favor of staying “safe.” Is it foolishness, or is it deep spirituality?

Those who are in tune with the Spirit know when it is His touch that causes a heart to become heavy. There are other things that result in a heavy heart (sin, sadness, unfortunate events), but those are just passing. The persistent burden placed on one’s heart by the Holy Spirit calling you to consider a change in direction for your life is unmistakable. Have you felt it?

Who can know the mind of God? Who can understand His ways? The Apostle Paul tells us that we have “the mind of Christ.” So, therefore, it is a wise thing to listen to your heart. It is also wise to listen to other men and women you respect — those who also belong to the family of believers. However, even a worldly pagan can have a few wise words every now and then. How will you know what your heart is telling you? You just do. And once you do, balance it against what God’s word teaches and you can’t lose.

Come, Holy Spirit…