Since choosing to go in search of a deeper intimacy with the Holy Spirit, God's pointed a few things out to me in the Bible that I longed to share with you, but each time I went to record my thoughts here, I felt the timing of it wasn't right. So, off I went again, doing 'this' and not doing 'that' in my life, altering 'that' and 'the other thing' in my personality - or at least trying to, as though pulling up my socks, straightening my bow tie and parting my hair down the middle prior to placing it under a ruffled bonnet would open up a door for the Holy Spirit to step through so He could make Himself known to me more visibly.
As I set aside the verses God pointed out to me (which I'll share another time) and sought to tidy up my own act, I felt led to sway my arms - which I could do sitting or standing. I wasn't sure what this was for, but as I felt it was God prompting me to do it, I did, and I did it several times throughout the day. At times, I thought it might have been good for my back, or symbolic of getting the Spirit flowing, or something in the like. Then, a day later, I felt led to stomp both feet, twice, several times during the day, and did both things for a couple of days following. All the while, I wondered what symbolism this represented, what would be unleashed through such actions and so on...
Within a few days of first starting the swaying of the arms and the stomping of the feet, I received, from several different sources, a reminder that it's by grace we are saved, not works. The Holy Spirit is also a gift. I was reminded that God has taken care of everything and we simply need to receive... After being reminded of this several times, (and adding them to what God had shown me in the Bible regarding the offence given in trying to buy the Holy Spirit), I finally took the hint: Getting closer to the Holy Spirit would not be achieved by me, beyond repenting of my sins and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour of my life. It's by the works of Jesus Christ, by God's mercy and grace, and in the form of a GIFT, that we receive the Holy Spirit, not by what we do or do not do...
The Holy Spirit is a gift... a Gift Jesus paid for.
So, finally getting a clue, I asked, "Then what was with all the arm swaying and foot stomping?" and God replied, "I wanted to show you how ridiculous ritual looks." BAHAHAHAAHAAA!!! Oh my gosh! I laughed so hard - as Tim (hubby) just did when I shared this with him! lol
Ah, ya gotta love a God with a sense of humour. lol... And ya can't help loving one who says, "Relax, I've got this..." then gifts you with ALL things GOOD! :)