Pentecost Ponderings

So today is Pentecost, and, in a sense, the birthday of the church. Its the day when the Holy Spirit became a "tool" for everyone, not just a minority of gifted prophets. It's described in the book of Acts as "what looked like tongues of fire" (Acts 2:3), so I though that this week's passage was perhaps more than a bit appropriate.

You see, as 1 John says in one of my all-time favourite sentences, "God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all." (1 John 1:5) And the Holy Spirit is the fuel that burns that light for us; it revitalises and refreshes, it boosts and restores. It is a provider, just waiting for us to say the magic word: please. It won't force its way into your lives, because that's not the way of God. Instead, like faith itself, you need to invite it in and to have a little patience.

It's an immense feeling when you receive it. and a very personal, individual feeling too. It's different for each person. My experience has been the feeling of a thousand bees buzzing all over my hands, but not in an uncomfortable way. You can feel incredibly close to God when you receive the Spirit. You can feel alive, so much more alive than before.

What I find interesting is that the Psalm that this week's passage is taken from is entitled: "A Prayer of Trust in God", and it was written by David after he was captured by the Phillistines in Gath; a time of obvious strife and worry, yet he can confidently put his trust in God. Centuries later we find the great Evangelist Paul doing exactly the same as he writes some of his best letters from the discomfort of a prison cell. That's an immense challenge, but one you need to take up; for if you really want to receive the Holy Spirit, to feel it working in your everyday life, then like faith you have to drop your guard and put your trust in God. Don't worry, it's in very safe hands. Trust me.

Laters.