What does the presence of the Holy Spirit look like?
I've been pondering this thought for the past few weeks. . . I've seen, I know I have! When someone in the community walks up to another and offers them a gift, an solicited gift (whatever that may be) the Spirit of God is present and active. I've seen that! When a gathering of people all seem to be having the same idea right about the same time, without having verbalized it. . . and it's about the benefits and best interests of others. . . it seems to me that the Holy Spirit is blowing through. I've seen it! When people are so filled with joy over what God is doing with their gifts, their very lives, when they can't go to sleep because the ideas are overflowing. . . that creative, loving, multiplying energy is Spirit led/Spirit induced/Spirit filled. . . I've seen it!
What does it look like from the Biblical narrative when the Spirit of God is absent versus when it is present? One story that comes to mind that shows God's frustration with an idolatrous humanity is Genesis 11: 1-9, the Tower of Babel. The people who came after Noah were at it again! They decided to build a tower to the heavens. They wanted to do things their way (isn't that the definition of Original Sin?) God became so upset that he thwarted their efforts; even though they spoke the same language, he confused their speech so much that no one could understand anyone else. This story is characterized by confusion, chaos, and pain. God was certainly present but something is wrong here; the fruits of the Holy Spirit are absent.
Contrary to that story is the Pentecost event found in the book of Acts chapter 2. In this case the disciples are gathered together with many, many others and the Holy Spirit is gifted to the nascent church. Tongues of fire reach out to the crowd, all of whom speak a different language. Instead of there being mass confusion, they all understand one another! They are filled with energy and excitement and light.
The Holy Spirit may always be present, but the fruits of the Spirit aren't: patience, peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness, self control. Do you see those fruits where you are? They are undeniable, unmistakable, incredible!
Aahhh, yes. We were promised the presence of the Holy Spirit. But we can sometimes go off track despite that promise, because we decide (on our own) what we "think" needs to be happening in some given situation. We have hopes and expectations, even assumptions, that are generated by our limited, ego-centered perspective.
ReplyDeleteRepeatedly, I have seen the Holy Spirit drawing me beyond my own radar screen into places, spaces and relationships that I could not have "seen" gentleness, joy, love, compassion if I held on to my OWN vision.
Thanks for this reflection.... it shimmers with the presence of the Holy Spirit!