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 The
work of the Holy Spirit is and always has been mysterious. No one
really understands it and no one can predict its movements in the
world. Yet despite this lack of understanding the Spirit remains at
the core of the Christian life because it is our tangible connection
to God. Think of it this way, have you ever seen those old deep-sea
diving suits? You know what I mean; the suits with the big brass
head and the full body suit that first allowed people to go
underwater. Well, those divers were kept alive by a tube that
attached into the back of their helmet and brought fresh air from
above down to them. Well, that is the Holy Spirit for us, it is the
tube which keeps our faith alive. Whatever faith we have flows
through it into our souls. Pentecost is the day we, the people of
the Church, first received the Spirit. It is an important day!
The manner we received the Spirit is also vital to understanding our
faith and our role today. In short, no one saw this coming. I don't
think any of the disciples believed that one day they would just
stand up and start speaking Phrygian, Coptic, or Arabic. Yet that
was the Spirit's will and plan. As Christians today it is incumbent
on us to remain open to the work of the Spirit in whatever form that
might take. It can be miraculous but just as often it can simply be
transforming. How many of you expected to be members of a church,
worshiping regularly? How many of you thought you would be a deacon
or elder? How many of you thought you would actually enjoy a mission
trip? The Spirit calls us in all sorts of way to all different kinds
of ministries and missions. The Spirit is alive and at work in the
world throught you, the Church. Who knows where it will lead you
next. [to top of second column] |
Prayer: Holy God, may your Spirit descend upon me and call me to
new ministries and missions through you. I want to be your servant
and I want to feel your Spirit. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
[Text from file recieved by Phil Blackburn, First Presbyterian
Church]
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