Some Things Just Go Together…

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We all know some things just go together like:

(My List…..you may have your own list)

• Mac & Cheese…
• Peanut Butter & Jelly…
• Potato Chips & Brownies…
• French Fries & Ice Cream (or Saltine Crackers…memory as a kid)…
• Pizza/Mexican & Diet Coke…
• Movie & Popcorn…

The last one brings me to what I want to share. Once and a while there is a movie in the theater, though not many are worth watching, that Randall wants to take me on a date to watch. Yesterday afternoon was one of those special dates. We went to see, Harriet, the movie of Harriet Tubman’s life.

Today I read her history to see how close the movie portrays her real life. There are some differences, but I would like to share my take about a portion of what this movie portrayed.

* “At age 12, when she spotted an overseer about to throw a heavy weight at a fugitive slave, Harriet stepped between the slave and the overseer—the weight struck her head. Her good deed left her with headaches and narcolepsy the rest of her life, causing her to fall into a deep sleep at random. She also started having vivid dreams and hallucinations which she often claimed were religious visions (she was a staunch Christian). Her infirmity made her unattractive to potential slave buyers and renters.”

* https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/harriet-tubman

This side-note spoke to me because God can use difficult chapters in our lives for good. Harriet had an infirmity, but God worked through it. God instructed her through visions and she depended on His guidance.

The above History link says Harriet was a, “Staunch Christian.” I wanted to believe that before sharing my experience from one of the scenes. 

(If you have not seen the movie, yet, you may want to stop reading and wait until after you have watched it to read further.)

I cannot imagine a young woman, about age 29, choosing to escape slavery and traveling 90 miles North to Pennsylvania. She started out with two brothers, but they turned back. She was all alone, but persevered with some instruction from her local pastor, according to the movie portrayal.

The scene that brought me into the “Realm of Spirit mindedness” was when Harriet went back ‘home,’ after being liberated to free other family members. During their escape process they were at a crossroad………a river, the only way to get to the other side to pursue their freedom. Some were afraid and were ready to turn back. Harriet demanded that they come. Afraid, but resolved, she stepped into the water and kept moving forward. Half-way across she stopped and prayed for strength. The Holy Spirit, that she so depended upon, came in power to keep her moving forward. Many times in the movie she prayed and asked for direction and saw visions in her spirit.

Water and the Holy Spirit go together…

At that moment I was reminded of the many Scriptures where “water and the Holy Spirit worked together” to show God’s power. Water as the Symbol of God’s Holy Spirit…Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water ​I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.​” John 4:13-14 ​(​​NIV​)

Examples of how God worked through water are many: The Red Sea, Water from the Rock, turning bitter water sweet, Peter walking on the water, the Jordan River experience……all that proved for the need to step into obedience to show God’s power……

I was so moved by the Holy Spirit to be determined to not allow the flesh to overtake any obstacle, but the Spirit of God to direct and push me forward; have Resolve.

History tells us that Harriet made many trips back to free slaves. I wonder how many times she crossed that river! Though the danger was real, her resolve was strong because she understood what the enslaved were experiencing……she had been there! As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 instructs us, “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” Harriet was driven with resolve and compassion, because she wanted comfort for those who had no comfort.

My daily prayer is, “Come Holy Spirit, Your power is made perfect in my weakness; Lord, order my steps; Lord, order my thoughts; Lord, order what/how/when to speak; Perfect Your love in me!” Amen

LET’S ASK OURSELVES THESE QUESTIONS???

We’ve heard the phrase, “Step Out of the Boat, like Peter did.” He did it afraid and was walking on the water, as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. Have I “Stepped Out?” Do I keep my focus?

Is God asking me to move forward in a specific area?

What are obstacles in my way that I need strength to overcome?

Do I have resolve? Do I invite the Holy Spirit into my daily routine?

Recently, I have been listening to a song.

COME HOLY SPIRIT…

Come Holy Spirit, fall on me now,

I need your anointing come in Your power.

I’m reaching for Your heart.

You hold my life in Your hands,

Draw me closer to you,

I feel Your power renew.

“…for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” Luke 12:12

“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” John 3:6

“And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.'” John 20:22

* https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/harriet-tubman