The Hebrew word for spirit is ruach, which also means wind or breath. The wind cannot be seen, but it can be felt and its effects on the environment are obvious. For instance, the turbulent winds of a tornado cannot be seen, but the debris suctioned up by it surely can be, along with the resulting destruction. I can feel a gentle wind on my cheek.....see and hear it as it rustles the leaves on a tree. I can smell the fragrance of flowers as their essence is carried along by the breeze. Though my senses can can perceive the wind, I cannot see it. 

Similarly, breath cannot be seen, but it can be felt and its presence signifies life. In the days before the invention of the stethoscope, a mirror was placed beneath an unconscious person's nose to determine if he was breathing. Condensation on the glass was proof that there was still life, for though the breath itself could not be seen, the warmth and moisture carried by it were revealed by the mirror. 

The Hebrew word for Holy Spirit is Ruach HaKodesh. Just as the wind or the breath of life cannot be seen, so the Holy Spirit is invisible. The effects of His presence, however, are unmistakable, at least to those who recognize Him. 

"Kan belibi HaMachiach shochen beheichalo" in Hebrew means "here in my heart the Messiah dwells in His tabernacle." In essence, when I accept Christ as personal Savior, my own heart and spirit serve as a temple to the Holy Spirit, a place which houses the Supreme Teacher, Helper, and Comforter.

None of this can be seen, but it surely can be felt, not only by myself, but by others around me. Just as the breath of life carries warmth and moisture which can be seen on a mirror, the changes in a person who carries within him the Holy Spirit, can be perceived by others. The degree to which the presence of the indwelling Spirit effects changes, is determined not by God, but by my own mind and spirit and by my willingness to cooperate with the Teacher. 

The free will given to Mankind by God is always a wild card. Therefore, the breath of life given by the Spirit as evidenced by my own behavior, will either be robust and easily sensed by others or will be weak and in need of a mirror to detect it. The choice is mine....and yours... to make. 

Lord, from this day forward, please help me listen to Your Holy Spirit that dwells within my heart and may He be free to produce the changes in me that You desire. In Jesus' mighty name, Amen.