We live in a world that doesn't have much use for powers that cannot be seen. Except, of course, for the scores of TV documentaries on the paranormal! Yet, the most amazing gift ever given to humans is one that no one has ever seen or touched. That gift is the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit promised by Jesus, who causes us to remember the things of God.
Personally, I think the Spirit speaks in whispers and gentle nudges. One would assume that someone as powerful as the Holy Spirit would come and knock us off our feet and speak to us in loud, authoritative tones. Yet, my experience has been that of subtlelty and nuance, when it comes to the Spirit.
In contrast, today is the day of Pentecost. This is the day that the Spirit came with great power and obvious presence. Tongues of fire, rushing wind, and burning hearts accompanied this new way of being with God. The Spirit came on those frightened friends of Jesus and drove away all darkness and grief. God was with them once again and would never leave them alone. When the disciples left the dark room in which they were hiding, they went out to proclaim the love of God to everyone on the street. And when they spoke, everyone could understand them, even foreigners could understand in their own tongue. This was the beginning of the way of being with God that transformed the world. And the Spirit still is moving among us, reminding us of the things of God.
Maybe you have heard that Spirit whispering your name and moving you to act. Have you felt that gentle push to do or say something to someone, and it turned out to be exactly what they needed to hear? Or when praying, silently or out loud, have you felt your heart warming and found it easier to forgive and be forgiven? I appreciate the Spirit the most, when I feel confirmation in what I am saying to one or to many. Or, when I read a passage of Scripture, and the words dance off the page and make sense in an entirely new way. This is the work of the Spirit.
Or, when I am doing nothing holy at all, just walking the dog and thinking about how perfect the night is, I sometimes feel the Holy Spirit walking right along with us. Just being. Looking for fire flies in the mystery of the forest or admiring the neighbor's day lilies or hibiscus. I think that is what God wants to be to us - that constant presence helping us to see the world differently or deeper. It is easy to forget to pay attention to that presence or take it for granted. I would suggest, however, that a little more attention to the details of the Spirit will lead to a transformation of the darkness of our own hearts into something that is bright and pure.
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