This is a challenging question! I can be wary of people who say that the ‘Holy Spirit’ led me to do something or say something. And yet, sometimes there isn’t a logical explanation for why you find yourself in a particular place or in front of a particular person and you become aware that it is holy ground…a deep sense that you feel in your entire body that you are exactly where you need to be. Here are some things to think about as you discern: if you are surprised to be where you are, if you are feeling something in your gut and heart rather than thinking in your head, if you have peace even though you are doing something really difficult…all of these are indications that the Spirit might be stirring. And lest I give the impression that it is always gentle and peaceful, I’ll share this image from the book, ‘The Shack’. The Spirit is in the garden and has taken everything out by the roots. It looks like a mess, but is hopeful…preparing the soil for planting. The Spirit knows that healthy roots bring healthy fruit and sometimes we need to do some digging, too. – Pastor Trudy Stoffel
