Blog Post Sermon: “Slowly, Slowly: The Holy Spirit’s Gentle Work in Our Lives”
The song “Slowly, Slowly” is a beautiful meditation on the transformative power of love, faith, and the Holy Spirit in our lives. It’s a reminder that spiritual growth, healing, and the deepening of relationships with both God and others often happen over time, through patience and trust. The lyrics speak to the process of waiting on God, allowing the Holy Spirit to move at His own pace, and embracing the slow but steady intertwining of love and faith in our hearts.
This theme of patience and trust aligns with Christian Libertarian Ideology, which values personal freedom and responsibility, alongside a deep reliance on God’s guidance in our lives. It also resonates with modern human perspectives that recognize the importance of growth, mindfulness, and the process of becoming. Let’s explore how the song “Slowly, Slowly” weaves together these themes and draws on relevant scripture to encourage us in our spiritual journeys.
The Power of Patience: Trusting in God’s Timing
“Kneeling down in quiet prayer,
Asking for the strength to bear.
A love that’s strong, a heart that’s true,
Hoping faith will see us through.”
The opening verse reflects the importance of patience and perseverance in our spiritual lives. It reminds us that while our hearts may be set on fire with faith, we still need to wait on God’s timing. Whether we’re waiting for answers to prayers, healing in relationships, or personal growth, the journey of faith requires trust that God is working even when we cannot see it.
James 1:3-4 speaks to this, saying, “Because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This verse teaches us that spiritual growth is a process, one that requires patience and endurance. It is through these moments of waiting that our faith deepens and matures.
Christian Libertarian Ideology values personal freedom, but it also emphasizes that true freedom is found when we align ourselves with God’s will. This requires trusting that God’s timing is better than our own. While we may desire quick fixes or immediate answers, God often works “slowly, slowly,” allowing us to grow in ways that bring about lasting transformation.
The Holy Spirit’s Gentle Work: Quiet, Steady Transformation
“For in your eyes, I see a spark,
The Holy Spirit, lighting the dark.
Slowly, slowly, let it be, let it be,
The Holy Spirit, setting you free.”
The chorus emphasizes the gentle, often quiet work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The imagery of a spark lighting the dark suggests that the Spirit doesn’t always move in dramatic, instant ways. Instead, He often works slowly, igniting change little by little until we are set free from what holds us back. This reflects the reality that transformation in Christ is a process—a journey of faith and surrender over time.
2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” The Holy Spirit works within us to bring about freedom, but this freedom often comes as we learn to yield to God’s timing and trust in His process. The Spirit’s work is not always immediate, but it is always faithful, bringing us closer to God with each step.
In a world that often prioritizes quick results and instant gratification, the message of “Slowly, Slowly” serves as a countercultural reminder that true spiritual growth and freedom come through patient trust in the Spirit’s work. This is a modern human challenge—to embrace slowness, mindfulness, and patience in a world that demands constant motion and instant outcomes.
Faith and Love Intertwined: A Sacred Process
“Slowly, slowly, over time,
Love and faith will intertwine.”
The idea that love and faith grow and intertwine over time is central to the song’s message. This reflects a deep truth about both human relationships and our relationship with God. Just as love in a marriage or friendship takes time to deepen and mature, so does our faith journey. It’s a process of learning, trusting, and allowing the Spirit to shape us as we walk with God.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit, saying, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” These fruits take time to develop in our lives. They are the result of walking with the Spirit over time, allowing love and faith to take root and grow stronger with each passing day.
Christian Libertarianism emphasizes the freedom to pursue a life aligned with God’s will, and part of that freedom is found in allowing love and faith to grow naturally and slowly. We are free to walk our own paths, but we are also responsible for nurturing our relationship with God, allowing the Spirit to intertwine love and faith within us. In a world that often rushes through relationships and growth, the song’s message reminds us that some of the most important things in life—like love, faith, and spiritual maturity—take time.
In the Silence: Listening for God’s Voice
“In the silence, in the night,
I feel the Spirit’s gentle light.
Moving softly, heart to heart,
Slowly bringing us to start.”
This bridge captures the quiet moments where we encounter God—often in the silence, when the noise of the world fades away, and we are left with His presence. It’s in these moments that we can hear the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit, guiding us, comforting us, and moving us forward in our faith.
1 Kings 19:12 tells the story of Elijah hearing God’s voice, not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a “gentle whisper.” This passage reminds us that God often speaks to us in the quiet, gentle moments when we take the time to be still and listen. The song reflects this truth, encouraging us to seek out those moments of silence where we can feel the Spirit’s presence and allow Him to work in our hearts.
In today’s world, where we are constantly bombarded with noise, information, and distractions, the call to seek silence and listen for God’s voice is more relevant than ever. The song reminds us that the Spirit’s work is often subtle and quiet, requiring us to be attentive and open to His movement in our lives.
Slowly, Slowly: A Call to Patience and Trust
“With every prayer, with every plea,
I trust the Spirit’s work in thee.
Slowly, slowly, we will see,
Love and faith, our destiny.”
The song concludes with a powerful declaration of trust in the Spirit’s work. It reminds us that with every prayer, we are placing our trust in God’s ability to bring about change—not on our timetable, but on His. The repetition of “slowly, slowly” throughout the song serves as a reminder that spiritual growth, healing, and transformation take time, but they are worth waiting for.
Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” This verse speaks to the importance of patience in our spiritual journey. We are called to wait in hope, trusting that God is at work even when we cannot see the results immediately.
In today’s fast-paced world, patience is a virtue that is often overlooked. But the message of “Slowly, Slowly” challenges us to embrace patience as a key part of our faith journey. It encourages us to trust in the Spirit’s work, knowing that love and faith will grow and intertwine over time, bringing us closer to God’s ultimate plan for our lives.
Conclusion: Embracing the Journey of Faith
“Slowly, Slowly” is a song that speaks to the beauty of patience, the quiet work of the Holy Spirit, and the process of spiritual growth. It reminds us that the most meaningful things in life—love, faith, and our relationship with God—take time to develop. In a world that often rushes through everything, the song encourages us to slow down, trust in God’s timing, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us at His own pace.
Christian Libertarian Ideology teaches us that while we have the freedom to pursue our own paths, we must also take responsibility for nurturing our spiritual lives. This requires patience, trust, and a willingness to let God work in us over time. The song “Slowly, Slowly” beautifully reflects this truth, reminding us that spiritual growth is a journey, not a destination.
As we reflect on this song, let us remember the words of Psalm 27:14: “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” May we all learn to wait patiently, trusting that the Holy Spirit is at work, slowly bringing us into a deeper relationship with God and a fuller understanding of His love.
Amen.
Intro:
C G Am F
Dm C G G
Verse 1:
C G
Kneeling down in quiet prayer,
Am F
Asking for the strength to bear.
C G
A love that’s strong, a heart that’s true,
Am F
Hoping faith will see us through.
Verse 2:
C G
My heart believes, my soul’s on fire,
Am F
But patience is my true desire.
C G
For in your eyes, I see a spark,
Am F
The Holy Spirit, lighting the dark.
Chorus:
C G. C. G
Slowly, slowly, let it be, let it be
Am F. C. G.
The Holy Spirit, setting you free. Amen. Amen
C G. C. G.
Slowly, slowly, over time, over time
Am F. C. G.
Love and faith will intertwine. Amen. Amen.
Verse 3:
C G
Each day I pray, each night I wait,
Am F
For your heart to resonate.
C G
With love divine, with holy grace,
Am F
To see the light upon your face.
Chorus:
C G. C. G
Slowly, slowly, let it be, let it be
Am F. C. G.
The Holy Spirit, setting you free. Amen. Amen
C G. C. G.
Slowly, slowly, over time, over time
Am F. C. G.
Love and faith will intertwine. Amen. Amen.
Bridge:
Am F
In the silence, in the night,
C G
I feel the Spirit’s gentle light.
Am F
Moving softly, heart to heart,
C G
Slowly bringing us to start.
Chorus:
C G. C. G
Slowly, slowly, let it be, let it be
Am F. C. G.
The Holy Spirit, setting you free. Amen. Amen
C G. C. G.
Slowly, slowly, over time, over time
Am F. C. G.
Love and faith will intertwine. Amen. Amen.
Outro:
C G
With every prayer, with every plea,
Am F
I trust the Spirit’s work in thee.
Dm C
Slowly, slowly, we will see,
G G
Love and faith, our destiny.
Outro Chords:
C G Am F
Dm C G G
As Always, God Bless,
James Arthur Ferguson
FergusonPoetryProject LLC 
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