The Sixth Sense

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth.  The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.   But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:16,17 NIV)

   The most obvious proof of God’s creation is what we experience when we look around us at nature.  There are many things in His creation that demonstrate God’s goodness to us.  One that we experience and appreciate every day is the five senses that He put into the human body.  We see, we hear, we smell, we taste, we feel the  beauty of this world.  He has given us the five refreshing senses so that we enjoy His creation, but He also gave them to us for our protection. 

   I enjoy the sight of a mountain range partially covered with snow, and I am enthralled by the myriad of stars I can see on a clear night.  Sight also protects me when I see a car speeding by as I am about to step off the sidewalk to cross the street.  

   Have you ever had the taste of fresh huckleberry pie with just picked huckleberries?   My aunt made the best huckleberry pie, probably because she had a huckleberry patch just behind her house.   Of course, the taste of cold watermelon on a hot summer day is also a treat.  The first bite of a sandwich made with meat that was improperly stored will probably keep you from at least an upset stomach later.

   The smell that accompanies a spring rain is refreshing.  It speaks of the joyful growth of spring and the coming beauty of flowers.  The smell of escaping gas in your home may well prevent a housefire, and the continued smell of exhaust gas  in your car is a warning that poisonous carbon monoxide gas may be present. 

   The Hallelujah Chorus sung by a full-voiced choir is inspiring, and the voice of Mahalia Jackson singing O Holy Night is a treat to the ear.  Handle’s Messiah played by a full orchestra always makes me rise to my feet.  God has certainly given us great pleasure in the music we hear.  Fire alarms save many lives each year by warning people to exit from burning buildings.

   A hug from my wife is a great joy.  I like hugs from my friends, too, but their hugs are not the same as a hug from my wife.   The touch of her hand on my cheek helps show her love for me.  My feeling of touch warns me when my hand gets too close to a fire or hot burner on the stove.  

   All of these are fantastic blessing we received when God created mankind.  There is one other sense that God has made available to us, and whether we use it or not is our choice.  That sense is not as easy to describe as are the other senses.   It’s the sense of the Holy Spirit.   When Jesus rose to heaven, He promised us a counselor, a helper—the Holy Spirit.  While the Holy Spirit is with us always, it is up to us to acknowledge Him.   I’ve heard someone describe the Holy Spirit as a gentleman, one who is always there, but also, one who will not force Himself on an individual.  He’s the voice of the Lord in my ear and in my heart.  Sometimes His presence is just a nudge to do something.  I usually do what the Holy Spirit says when He nudges me, but I don’t always know the reason.  Other times I know that I know that I know that there is something important for me to know or do.  Many times He has given me topics to write about.  I always appreciate that.  Several times He has even provided the wording.  That’s when I really need to listen closely.  

   This “Sixth Sense” is vital to my Christian life.  It is important for me to be open to hear from Him at all times. The Holy Spirit is part of our triune God—not less and not more than any other part.   The words of Psalm 46:10 tell me how to hear from Him:   “Be still and know that I am God!  I will be honored by every nation.  I will be honored throughout the world” (NLT).  Lord, I will be still and I will know that you are God.  Thank you, Father God, for giving us this counselor who reminds us of the words of Jesus.