Have you ever been to the spa? I don’t go very often unless there’s a special occasion like a wedding or a special family vacation where all the girls get to go. When I think back about my spa experiences, I’m brought back to a place of peace. A place of tranquility and rest. I love to walk in and feel safe. I love to get naked (tmi?) and put on those soft white fluffy robes with the soft slippers. They hand you an ice-cold beverage with lemons in it and a straw to top it off. I remember thinking, “does this have to end?” I mean really, picture it- there’s soft piano music playing, the room is dark, the large waterfall to the left is slowly trickling down. With each rub I feel the stress and pressures of the world slowly melt away. For an hour or two I am relaxed, at peace and all is well with my world. But then, like the saying goes, all good things must come to an end…or do they?
What if there was a place we could go whenever we wanted. It would be a place of rejuvenation, rest, and peace. What if we didn’t have to go to a spa and pay top dollar for that experience? Would we go often? Heck yeah! What if we didn’t even have to leave our home? Bonus, right?!
I am here to tell you that God’s Holy Spirit Spa awaits you. Try to get there early, before your kids wake for the best experience possible. Leave your shoes at the door. Come naked- with all your troubles, insecurities, and fears. Let Him put on your robe of righteousness as you enter in. Stop for a moment. Do you hear that? It’s the fountain of living water. Go to this fountain and you will never thirst again. But this fountain isn’t trickling down, it’s gushing, pouring over. No reservation needed here. God’s already written your name in the book. Oh wait, what’s that music? No, not your stock cd of melodic piano music. Oh no, this is much, much more glorious. Look up. It’s the heavenly host of angels singing holy, holy, holy is the Lamb of God who is worthy to be praised. Instead of feeling awkward and naked in front of a stranger and telling them where the pressure points are in your body, you can begin this experience by telling the Lord- who saw you in your mothers womb, who knew you before you were even formed, and who says, “my child, you are no stranger to me”- begin by telling Him where it hurts. Tell Him your pressure points. Let Him anoint you with oil. This isn’t store bought oil from a bottle. This is healing oil from heaven. Ask Him to release the tension in your shoulders. He already knows you’ve been uptight about some things.
And when this Holy Spirit spa comes to end and your feeling relaxed, at peace. Rested. There will be an angel at the door. She will hand you a coupon (we all love a good coupon, right?). And the coupon reads “This coupon is good for unlimited sessions at the Holy Spirit Spa. No reservations needed. Just come. I love you and I can’t wait for our time together again. Love, God. Expiration: Never.”
Isaiah 61:10 (NIV) “I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness”
John 4:14 (MSG) “anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”
Isaiah 6:3 (NIV) “And they were calling to one another: ”Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”
Psalm 23:5 (NIV) “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
Psalm 68:9 (NIV)
“You gave abundant showers, O God;
You refreshed your weary inheritance.”
Enjoy your spa day!
Yes I have been to a few spas. Nothing like some time to rejuvenate or have a good spa candle sparkling at home.
Perfect anology Celeste! I love it.
Thank you so much. What a great follow up message to the Encounter service last night. Thank you for a gentle reminder to rest in God’s peace.
Blessings,
Kim
WOW, I felt relaxed even as I read that. What a great analogy. It matches so well with what I got out of this weeks message at church. Thank you!
Awesome insight, Celeste! How very true it is that we have unlimited peace and rest in him.
This was refreshing to read. I felt like you took me on a mini experience or that you have whetted my appetite for me…which is probably the purpose, right?
I think I’m going to print this one out and post it in my prayer closet. [yes, I do have a big closet that allows for me to double purpose it...for clothes and for prayer and escape with Jesus]
This post is like a good worship song that prepares your heart for meeting with Jesus. What a sweet inspiration…
Oops…don’t you just hate typos??? This didn’t whet my appetite for “me”, it whetted my appetite for “MORE”. Oh, fast fingers, you betray me some times.
Beautifully written … I’ve slithered down in my office chair and am nearly on the floor. Unproductive, but content. Perfect.
Celeste – you are always so inspiring. I love you sister! Thanks for getting me thinking about God being the source of peace and tranquility instead of something external in the world. I always love a good spa day… why not do it every day!
Like everyone else above me said, I love the analogy and the beautiful way you write! I really do feel like I had a few minutes at the spa! And I really want a massage now!
It is so true though how I can be so tense and stressed with all the cares of this world and after just a few quiet moments alone with our sweet Savior a wave of peace and relaxation comes over me and I feel relaxed and ready for whatever may come my way. . . even better than a good day at the spa!
WOW Celeste. That was amazing. Thank you!
Thank you all so much for all of your beautiful comments! i am blessed! Praying you all would feel His peace flow over you as you’re able to sneak away with Him
What a beautiful to reaveal how the Dather desire’s to take our burdens & crown us with His LOVE!! So very different than when you hear someone say, ” I need to make myself read the Bible!” You escape with the King at His heavenly spa & peace!;) thanks!!
I get chills everytime I read your stuff!! Thank you!
Another incredible devotion!!! I felt peace just reading it. I love to go to the Holy Spirit Spa!!!! He refreshes me every day. I love you.
What a “yummy” descrption of spa time with Holy Spirit. Any reason we can’t go to the “HS spa daily? thanks for sharing these insights……….
You don’t realize how thirsty you are until you take a drink.
That’s the first thing that came to mind after reading this blog. I was sitting there, wondering why my cheeks were wet with tears, when it hit me…I was thirsty for the Holy Spirit. Just a taste of Him was all I needed to remember just HOW thirsty I was exactly! See, I followed you into that spa as I was reading. I got a mini facial, so to speak, when I felt God’s hand on my face. Adoring me through your words. Awww, I’m refreshed and yet left so needy!!
Oh my gosh Celeste this was amazingly powerful! Loved it! So great! I LOL “I love to get naked” Ha! That was hilarious! You rock! This was moving. Yea Jesus! Yea – here is to a wonderful Holy Spirit Spa in the morning. Love it!
I’m so there! I’ll take the first available–oh wait! hahaha that’s up to me! Thanks for the way you shared–I was peace personified. I’m sooo there!
Thanks, Celeste. Great analogy. I read yesterday about a chocolate spa. I’m not sure how that works, but time with the Holy Spirit is even better than chocolate!
Wow a chocolate spa. Please share.
I’m reading this from the school pick up line and am now planning my next get a way. He really is THAT good! Just like we plan romantic encounters with our husband we can set the atmosphere of romance with the Lover of our soul. I’m going to get out the warm fall candles, turn on “our” song, and just enjoy being in His presence for awhile loving on each other.
Thanks Celeste for stirring up passion in me for my Redeemer. Xoxo
Loved your beautiful composition. I read it twice, the second time this morning before work and now I’m refreshed and comforted in assurance that my Lord will always be with me throughout my day. God Bless.
I loved this. I felt a bit of tension leave my burdened shoulders just by reading it. This is something we all need to remember in our fast-paced lives. God is so good to us and He wants us to use those never-ever-expiring coupons to visit Him at the Holy Spirit Spa. Thank you for reminding me of this.
That has to be one of the best analogies I’ve ever read….it blessed me immensely, thank you!!