Leaning into the presence of God in your life means leaning in and on Holy Spirit. Some of you may be wondering why I say Holy Spirit rather than the Holy Spirit. The reason behind this is that Holy Spirit and I are very close friends, so I call Him by His Name: first name Holy, last name Spirit. I get that this may seem strange to some people, but Holy Spirit is more than just a Power, He is a Person with whom all followers of Jesus are in relationship. Too often, the message preached is of Holy Spirit, the intangible Power, rather than Holy Spirit, the Person, which only further complicates the notion of being in relationship with Him. Sure there are times in which I may say “the” Holy Spirit, but I do this more to emphasize His uniqueness and prominence (which maybe more preachers need to explain). It would be like introducing someone really, really important: “And now ladies and gentlemen, I present to you ‘the one and only’ Holy Spirit.” But, when I’m alone with Him, I just call Him by His Name, Holy Spirit. 

Now I understand that there are Scripture passages that describe Holy Spirit as an ethereal Power (I’ve often heard Him described as wind or electricity which is hermeneutically reasonable). But, when our understanding of Him starts from a place of thinghood, rather than personhood, this only further distances people from grasping the relational reality. Now hear me on this, my heart is not about arguing for one (Person) at the exclusion of the other (Power) because Scripturally there are both descriptions. My heart here is to help people embrace the relational intimacy and depth that is possible and is waiting for them with Holy Spirit which has a better chance of happening when people begin from the place of personhood. Jesus told us Holy Spirit will teach us all things and will remind us of everything He has said to us (John 14:26) and will also guide us into all truth and will tell us what is yet to come (John 16:13). There is an emphasis on the relational intimacy we as believer have with Holy Spirit who lives within us (1 Corinthians 6:19) and who is in constant communication with us and with God (Romans 8:16, 26; Galatians 4:6). So, when you pray I want to encourage you to address the third Person of the Trinity by His Name: first name Holy, last name Spirit.