Ordinary Time

Pause

The greatest mystery of our faith is the identity, work, and purpose of the Holy Spirit.

As elusive as the wind, the Spirit evades our capture yet manages to touch, nudge, comfort, or trip us just the same.

Rather than attempting to capture, predict, or define the Spirit, why not simply affirm that the Spirit is and open your heart, inviting God's mysterious Spirit to take up residence in you.

Listen

Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. Even upon my servants, men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. The sun will be changed into darkness, and the moon will be changed into blood, before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Acts 2:14-21

Think

While I hate to disagree with Luke and Peter, I think the disciples were drunk! But, it wasn’t alcohol that had entered their blood and altered their minds.

Would it be a stretch to say they were Spirit-drunk? After Pentecost, the disciples were so filled with the Spirit that they couldn’t think logically, speak normally, or avoid places that were clearly dangerous. Rather than rationally, they thought spiritually. Rather than normally, they spoke evangelically. And, instead of traveling with a pragmatic eye to danger, they walked straight into danger by entering the temple courts.

To be fully used by God, to return all our gifts to the one who bestowed them, we too must drink deep, long, and daily from the cup of the Spirit. We too must be intoxicated with a single-minded love for God and neighbor. Then and only then can we say with Jesus, “Not my will but thine be done” and actually mean it!

Wade Griffith

Pray

God, give me a taste for the Spirit such that I indulge and overindulge in you every day. Inspire me to come to you for drink after drink of your living water... water that will cleanse, heal, animate, and send your people forth into service. Amen.

Go

Today, don't forget that God's Spirit is with you and for you! Receive this gift. Just ask, and off you'll go, arm in arm!

Who knows what adventures, tasks, or opportunities the Spirit might have in store for you today? Let the future begin!