Slideshow image

 Take Time to Listen for the Holy Spirit

We recently celebrated Pentecost.  Think what it must have been like for those disciples that day!

Imagine the surprise, the confusion with everyone speaking in different languages.

No wonder the people thought they were drunk!

Think about those tongues of fire resting on each person!

In our 21st Century world of control and plans, we like to believe we have everything well organized.

Then, among all those well-organized plans, something happens that cannot be explained! Among all those well-organized plans, comes the power of the Spirit!  

At first, we might think how can this happen?

The point for us to ask is “what are our plans for our parish, for our family, or for the wider community?”

“Do we have a compelling vision? Is that vision real?"

Over the generations, every parish has had compelling visions that excited and created commitment.  

The reality easily overlooked is those compelling visions took months, even years, to be formulated!     

As 21st century people, we like to believe we do not have time. We are accustomed to living in a very fast paced world. We want instant results. We want immediate responses to our electronic communications.            

We forget that perhaps a simple phone call could bring resolution. (I just spent two days with a person on the electronic world arranging for a signature. One 2-minute phone call could have solved the issue!)            

But here is the clincher: to be guided by the Holy Spirit takes time.  

Imagine what it must have been like for the disciples/community of believers when Our Lord said,

“Wait, I will send you a helper.”

We do not know how much time passed between that moment and the event of Pentecost.  

What does it mean, or what do we hear, when we declare the familiar words following:

“Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen”   Ephesians 3. 20-21  

And:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”           2 Corinthians 13.13  

Let us take time to listen to/for the Holy Spirit to guide us in our future endeavors.  

Blessings in Christ,
Archdeacon Brian+