Tuesday; October 1

I don’t know if the show is as popular these days as it was in years gone by but a lot of us know the story of Pinocchio.  If you aren’t familiar with the tale of the puppet who became a boy, I am sure you can tune into Disney+ account and watch the show.  In all honesty, I have never been a big fan of the show and can’t tell you too many of the details about it, but one character I do know is Jiminy Cricket.  One of the roles that this insect plays in the story is to remind the boy to let his conscience be his guide.  In essence, when the new kid faced a challenge, he could rely on his knowledge of good and evil to guide him.  (And since it was a Disney movie from a while ago, the implication was for Pinocchio to choose good.) 

Wouldn’t it be good to have a cricket as our moral leader and guide – someone who could help us know the good we should do and encourage us to do it?  Interestingly, we have something (or Someone) much better than insect.  As Christians we have the Holy Spirit of God.  I believe that, in 21st Century Christianity, discussing the presence of the Holy Spirit has scared us to the point of not being able to appreciate the value He brings to our lives.  Too often, just so we don’t appear to be charismatic, we don’t acknowledge just how blessed we are to have Him guiding our lives and filling our own personal spirit.  Not only did Jesus promise the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, but the New Testament writers called upon us to look for and appreciate the guidance He provides.  In fact Paul would encourage, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).  Let’s develop our conscience so that we can make good choices; but let’s never lose sight of the power and leadership of the Spirit of God. 

Think About It!

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