As I was meditating one day recently, I was pondering Tom’s messages of how we need the Holy Spirit to be revival families. In that pondering I was reminded of a grading system that is used in colleges and universities. Some students take an “Incomplete” in a course. I began to ask the Lord what He was trying to show me about how the grade “incomplete” and the Holy Spirit are related.
Now, when the term “incomplete” is used, it may have a negative connotation. We think of a student who perhaps made a bad choice or mistake. However, “incompletes” can be incredibly helpful for students who find themselves in unexpected, difficult, or unavoidable situations. There are circumstances beyond their control. My son Joel had to take an “incomplete” while attending Hope College. He became paralyzed and had to return home causing him to ask for an “incomplete” in one of his courses.
The beautiful thing about “incompletes” is that you can finish the class at a later date and receive a grade.
We are “incomplete” without the Holy Spirit. The following is a list of how the Holy Spirit makes us complete. There is more that the Holy Spirit does but I will keep it short.
- The Holy Spirit is your helper. “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 16:7 When you are feeling powerless or tired or like you’re failing at life, you can have confidence as a believer that you’re not alone. You can start each day knowing the Holy Spirit is there to help you. He is the power that sustains, energizes, and keeps you on a holy path. Do not hesitate to invite Him in.
- The Holy Spirit sanctifies you. “But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God,” 1 Corinthians 6:11. “Sanctified” means to be set apart as sacred. Essentially, it’s the purification of sin and spiritually maturing to become more Christ-like.
- He helps you to do the Father’s will. Our lives are weak and rudderless without the infilling, guiding work of the Holy Spirit. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what the Father’s will would be for you today and ask Him to empower you to carry it out!
- The Holy Spirit gifts you for ministry. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. “To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
- He imparts love.
- The Holy Spirit gives hope. Hope as God hopes. It’s hope that carries people through all trials and tribulations. Hope is fuel for the soul.
- The Holy Spirit teaches and gives insight. “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you,” John 14:26. The Holy Spirit will give you insight into what you are reading and furthermore, will help you recall what you have read in Scripture. He brings to your mind understanding and truth.
At times in our lives we find ourselves in difficult and unavoidable situations, unexpected circumstances, or whatever it may be for you. We feel “incomplete” for the task at hand. We feel overwhelmed, scared, hopeless, powerless, worthless, incapable, etc. The Holy Spirit is ready to make you “complete.” All you have to do is ask.
Karen Haler
Children’s Ministry Pastor
NCWC