Slideshow image

Light streams into the upstairs room from two small windows. Waiting for the promised gift, you gather with other brothers and sisters of the faith. Your Lord, the One who loves you, listens to you, teaches you, comforts you, was sentenced to a criminal's death. Crucified, buried in a sealed tomb, it seems the mission of Jesus is over . . . until you discover the tomb is empty!  Before you stands the Resurrection and the Life. You eat a meal together, everyone talking at once, but when Jesus speaks, all voices fall silent. Savoring the sweetness of being reunited with your Lord, you try to memorize every detail, his voice, his face, the nail scarred hands . . .   suddenly you're jolted back to the conversation by the Master’s words: He must leave and return to the Father. His final instructions are to wait. “Wait for my Spirit” (Acts 1).

When Jesus returned to heaven, He knew His followers would need a Helper, a Counselor, a Comforter, an Intercessor. Jesus would not leave without equipping His disciples with everything needed to carry out His mission. What does this mean for followers of Jesus in 2023? We ready ourselves. Intentionally drawing near to Jesus through the rhythm of spiritual habits, God equips us to carry out His mission to invite others into a “life-giving” relationship with Jesus.  

Once we surrender our will, asking Jesus to forgive our sins, then making Him Lord, He gives us a most precious gift -- the indwelling of His Spirit. As we walk with the Spirit of God, we become a gracious host heeding the Spirit’s prompting to create a spacious and welcoming room for residence. Our lives become less cluttered with anxiety, fear, indifference, procrastination, and busyness.  In the decluttering, there is “room” for the Holy Spirit to reside.  

Creating more space for the authority of God’s Spirit, invites the breath of God, His strength and His wonder working power. The prophet Isaiah says, “In the west, people will respect the name of the LORD; in the east, they will glorify Him. For He will come like a raging flood tide driven by the breath of the LORD” (Isaiah 59:19).  The image of a raging tide of waves reminds me of God’s consistency and His power. In this passage Isaiah’s word for breath is “ruach,” spirit. When God’s Spirit shows up, it is with mighty unstoppable power to replenish our strength for the journey ahead.  

Walking in the awareness that God’s breath created our world, and His “ruach” lives in us, we are empowered to dwell in His shalom during seasons of stress. Jesus is our “go to” as the model of wisdom when confronted with trouble. However, Jesus was not a false peacemaker, sometimes gentle, at other times bold with authoritative command, His presence revealed what resided within the hearts of his listeners.  How do we exercise the charitable grace of our Lord when derision comes our way? The rhythms of prayer, worship and God’s Word prepare us. In the moment of trouble or crisis, God’s Spirit floods every space with unexplainable peace.  God’s breath is more than oxygen -- it is the Power of His Presence. 

Serena Sinclair

Associate Pastor - Adult Ministry

 

Comments for this post are now off.