Have you ever had "something inside" nudge you to do something, or have you ever driven your familiar route home but "something inside" insisted that you take another route? Or, have you, while driving your car, changed the station on your radio, only to look up at the right time to see that you were veering towards an oncoming vehicle? Or have you ever been awakened by a sudden urge to pray for someone? I have, on many occasions.

I purchased a new car. It has many new gadgets that my other car did not have and other gadgets that are now located in a different place, like the gear shift: In my old car, the gear shift was located by the steering wheel, whereas in the new car, it is located in the centre console between the seats. The windshield wipers are on the right-hand side, whereas they were on the left-hand side in my old car. As I was driving my new car, it started to rain, and I had to find the handle in order to wipe away the raindrops from the windshield. My eyes glanced away from the road for a couple of seconds, but "something" — a "nudge" — made me look up. As I had taken my eyes off the road, I had veered off into the oncoming traffic lane. With my heart in my throat, I slowed down, drove the car over to the side of the road, and found what I was looking for.

What makes us look or react just in the nick of time? I believe it is the prompting of the Holy Spirit from within.

Do we listen and respond to a burning thought or a nudge to pray for someone, or do we ignore it? Nudges can also be simple reminders that a letter needs to be written, an e-mail sent, a phone call made, or a visit offered. These reminders are often dismissed with another thought that someone else will do it, or that it will be taken care of. Could it be that when we dismiss these nudges or urgings, we miss an opportunity to help someone who is in need and whose prayer would be answered through us in Christ?

John 14:26 – But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. (NRSV)

We are God's eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet so that we can carry on with God's business — the business of caring, loving, helping, and praying for each other, in Jesus.

The next time when you are awakened in the middle of the night and you have the sudden urge to pray for someone, it may well be the Holy Spirit Who is nudging you. Or if you see someone who needs help, and it is in your power to offer it, and something is tugging at your heartstrings, I believe that it is the Holy Spirit nudging you to act.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to pay attention to those little nudges from the Holy Spirit in order to carry out Your business of loving each other, not only by words, but by deeds as well. Help us to carry out Your will on this earth by simple acts of kindness towards each other. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
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