May 20 - The secret ingredient

1 Corinthians 2:6-16

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"-- (1 Corinthians 2:9)

The role of The Holy Spirit in our lives is amazing. I would not want to live without feeling this special presence. When trouble comes, and it often does, it is the prompting of the Holy Spirit that helps me recognize a solution. It is this same power that shows me how to defeat the obstacle and find peace.

Wisdom is like a secret ingredient. It is the sauce that brings out the flavor of a Christian's life. We only need ask for this ingredient, and it will be given to us. So many situations we experience are huge questions that need answers. Answers that only come from wisdom and life lessons. It is the secret sauce that adds the flavor to our lives.

The prayers of a Christian often begin with, "Come, Holy Spirit." These words open the door to astounding things. From seemingly out of now where I suddenly have an answer to my dilemma. Once I turn over my life and my situation to God, things change. Problems aren't necessarily solved, but a door is opened for resolution. How many times have you wondered out loud, " Why didn't I think of that before?"

Those who do not know Jesus, do not know the Holy Spirit. They don’t understand the ways of the Spirit nor do they understand our ways. We are not of this world. I love this scripture and often cling to it when I feel like a misunderstood foreigner, for that is just what I am.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--

The Holy Spirit Gives Us the Mind of Jesus

In the 1974 movie Young Frankenstein, Dr. Frankenstein (Gene Wilder) is trying to create life. He asks Igor (Marty Feldman) to get a brain for his “monster.” Igor returns and Dr. Frankenstein places it in his monster. Later, when his monster is not up to par intellectually, the doctor goes berserk. He learns that Igor gave him the brain from “Abby Normal.”  The monster knows a world different than the one he lives in.

Igor Selecting an Incorrect Mind

 

The monster has to be retrained. Fire scares him. He frustrates easily. He has to be taught to walk. His words are mere monosyllabic grunts. It is quite evident that the monster has the mind of “Abby Normal.”

 

Today’s reading is from 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.

 

St. Paul has written to the Christians at Corinth. Corinth was a very rich port city, and, given its proximity to Athens, its citizens held a wealth of knowledge. Paul tells them that the wisdom he is preaching is far more valuable than the worldly knowledge they have. That wisdom, Paul continues, comes to them because they are filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

We too, are filled with the Holy Spirit, and it benefits us in many ways.

 

We can understand God’s Word. We can understand who Jesus was (and is). We can understand that his death forgives our sins. We can also understand that his resurrection gives us eternal life in a world  superior to, and far richer than, the world that we currently inhabit.

 

While we may have some knowledge of this world, the Holy Spirit enables us to know a world different than the one we live in. That world is the spiritual world and it ultimately leads to Heaven.

 

In a sense, the Holy Spirit retrains us. The fire from Satan does not scare us. We have patience and do not frustrate easily. We are taught to walk in the light. And we are able to speak words to others that testify that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

Unlike the monster, we have a functioning earthly mind. However, it is quite evident that the Holy Spirit gives us the mind of Christ as well.