Simeon was an old fellow living in Jerusalem at the time of Christ’s birth. Scripture describes him as “righteous” and “devout,” eagerly awaiting the Messiah’s arrival. It also says that the Holy Spirit was upon him. That, it seems, was the key to his living a supernatural life.
Simeon was so filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit that his daily activities were governed by His direction. His meeting the infant Jesus was one such example: “That day (the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple according to the law), the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there” (Luke 2:25-27).
I have no clue how many years Simeon waited to meet the Messiah. And I doubt that he expected Him to show up as a baby. Nevertheless, he was at the right place at the right time and he recognized the Messiah because the Holy Spirit filled and controlled him.
My husband has been reading the book God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew. The author tells stories of the Holy Spirit prompting him to travel thousands of miles to deliver Bibles to locations within the Communist bloc. He knew the destination but not the specific person with whom he was to connect there. If he connected with the wrong person, he risked imprisonment. Time after time, he relied on the Spirit to show him the correct person, and he was never disappointed. That’s a supernatural life!
A supernatural life—that’s what I want. I want to be so in tune with the Spirit that I hear His whispers and recognize His nudges. “Go there…greet that senior lady in the white sweater. Ask if you can help carry her groceries.” “Phone so-and-so. Tell her you’ve been thinking about her and ask what’s happening in her life.” “Write a cheque for that woman at church who’s struggling to pay her bills.” I long to be at the right place at the right time, recognizing the people who need encouragement or who need to be challenged in some way, and knowing exactly what to say.
High hopes, perhaps? Yes, especially knowing my human limitations. But I also know that God is able to perform this as I allow His Spirit to control me fully. Can you imagine what the world would be like if every believer moved in accordance with the Holy Spirit’s lead at all times? We could turn this world upside-down with kindness and hope.
Question: Have you experienced a situation in which the Holy Spirit obviously led? If so, tell us about it!
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Welcome!