By Jessica Patchett
In Acts, there are a lot of things that seem to happen because it “seems good to the Holy Spirit.” The religious leaders in Jerusalem wrote this phrase in their letter to the church in Antioch as a rationale for why they made the decision they did, and it’s a phrase I repeat often as I read the book of Acts.
Actually, it’s a phrase I've made fun of a bit in my life. Growing up in the Bible Belt during a revival in Pentecostalism, it seemed like anyone could explain anything they did by saying, “It seemed good to the Spirit.”
Guy in my 11th grade class: “I gave away all my clothes to the poor. I only kept one outfit.” Me: “Why? That sounds terrible. We run track. You’re going to have to wash your clothes every day.” Guy: “Seemed good to the Holy Spirit.”
The church is starting a building campaign. Why? Seemed good to the Holy Spirit. Going to go on a mission trip to the Bahamas. Why? Seemed good to the Holy Spirit. Wait. The Bahamas? You can see why I grew skeptical of this phrase.
“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit” is not the grounds on which many people typically make decisions, but it was a primary source of decision-making for Paul, Timothy and Lydia.
The Holy Spirit inspired Timothy to be circumcised, even though it wasn't necessary for salvation, so that he might be a more credible witness to Jewish people.
The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to stay out of Mysia and go all the way to Macedonia instead. The Holy Spirit inspired Lydia to embrace the gospel, be baptized, and offer her own home as an outpost for strangers carrying the message of God’s salvation.
These people went to extraordinary, self-sacrificing lengths for the sake of the gospel, all because “it seemed good to the Holy Spirit.”
- So, how do we know what seems good to the Holy Spirit and what’s a figment of our imaginations?
- When have you known that something seemed good to the Holy Spirit? How did you know? Did you act on that knowing?
- How might you get more in touch with what seems good to the Holy Spirit? What spiritual practice might you cultivate to open your heart, mind and soul to the Spirit’s promptings?
Prayer: Living God, you have visions, plans and desires, and we know little of what they are. Help us to be open to your Holy Spirit, that we might join in doing what seems good to your Spirit. Amen.
