Holy Spirit: Joshua, what are you thinking about?
Joshua: Why does that matter?
Holy Spirit: Joshua, what are you thinking about?
Joshua: God, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is what you want and that I’m doing it.
Holy Spirit: Huh. (long pause) Hmm.
Joshua: …Okay, so like… I’m just kind of nervous. That’s all.
Holy Spirit: Interesting. A Child of God, nervous? That’s so out of place it demands my attention. You do know my fruit is peace, right? If my child isn’t bearing my fruit, or my fruit appears crowded out by something different, believe me—I care.
Joshua: …I’m nervous because… I just… I don’t wanna talk about it.
Holy Spirit: (leans in) Joshua—I do though. Would you deprive me of connection?
Joshua: …I mean… no. But… I mean…
Holy Spirit: But… you mean?… Don’t you mean no? Or do you not mean “no”? Let your yes be yes, and your no, no. I’m in heaven, you’re on earth, let your words be few. In other words, kiddo—please answer honestly.
Joshua: (I start tearing up) God, it doesn’t matter.
Holy Spirit: Hmm. It matters to me.
Joshua: Okay, fine. Um…
Holy Spirit: Um?
Joshua: …My mug sounds like a cicada. It’s a constant “buzzing”—
Holy Spirit: (shakes head) You’re not being direct. Do you care about the buzz?
Joshua: (My eyes dart back and forth) …No. I didn’t even think about it until I wanted to be distracted.
Holy Spirit: Distracted from?
Joshua: …Some people I care about. I feel guilty caring about people that other people I know seem upset with. Like… I’m worried it’ll seem like I’m picking sides, when I want everyone to do well, to have a great relationship with you, etcetera.
Holy Spirit: (nods) So you’re afraid of guilt by association? You know, I’ve never once struggled with that. But ask a skeptic or a scoffer, and they may tell you God lets me in just about anywhere. I’m often a victim of guilt by association—“They healed me, and then abused my partner! The Holy Spirit’s obviously bad!” When I had nothing to do with the harm. The person who imparted the gift of prophecy to you also ended up dramatically wounding you. They already know, and you’ve already forgiven them, but my work isn’t minimized by people hurting people.
The reason hurt can increase with me is because vulnerability increases. Someone may walk in my gifting, someone gets set free, feels extra safe, and then even a butter knife may pierce their heart.
I’m not saying people are too sensitive but that my working increases vulnerability, WHICH IS WHY MY GIFTING MUST BE PAIRED WITH LOVE.
My gifting without love is dangerous. But this is true of every gift I have given people. Money, without love, is dangerous. A smooth tongue, able to turn the heart of a king, without love, is dangerous.
“Guilt by association” is the American caste system. If you fall by guilt by association, you are the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, because that means you visited the least of these in the lowest of points AND JESUS TAKES THAT AS TO HIM.
Believe me when I say I will display my greatest power in the darkest point. You know this was true when you first heard from me. Don’t run away from those with the dark label, RECOGNIZE THAT JESUS IS ON GUARD FOR THAT PERSON.
I will lead. You’re not called to everyone in every dark situation. No one is. But you are called to some. All are.
If you are never labeled with “guilt by association” then you probably don’t know Jesus.