The Antidote

…what is born of spirit is spirit.  John 3:6

One of the favorite things I’ve done during this time at home is watch the series, Chosen.  If you haven’t watched it, go to YouTube and give the first season a watch.  Talk about making the Gospels real!  The series brings so much life, it animates those familiar stories with human personality, humor and “realness”!  One of the episodes features the meeting between Jesus and Nicodemus and it brought so much understanding to a section of the Gospel I never really “got”.

I can completely relate to Nicodemus in this gospel.  He’s trying so hard to understand, to comprehend, to believe!  Sometimes I try so hard to fully understand the words of Jesus and my little mind just doesn’t always get it.  When I feel that frustration I realize it’s time to call on the Holy Spirit.  He is the divine interpreter and sometimes He brings insight and understanding and sometimes His answer is, I’ll show you later.

In my speaking, teaching and writing I’m constantly relying on the Holy Spirit to swoosh in and do the work for me.  As we approach the feast of Pentecost it’s a good time to ponder the power and blessing of the Holy Spirit. Being born in the Holy Spirit means constantly asking to be flooded again and again, and the more we ask, the more He comes and the more alive we become.  In Hebrew, spirit and wind are the same word and the Spirit of God can change the course of our days, our words and our hearts much like the wind can change the course of a sailboat.  We can’t control the Holy Spirit any more than a sailor can control the wind but what we are called to do is invite the Holy Spirit into our life and be open to the ways He wants to redirect and bless us.  When I’m uncertain and need to make sure I’m doing things His way I say these words, “Come Holy Spirit, come now,  come as You wish!”  

As we prepare to re-enter church and work, there is uncertainty.  Some are worried that the rules are too strict while others worry they aren’t strict enough.  All of it swirls up around us in uncertainty, fear and frustration.  Isn’t it funny that we are about to celebrate the feast of the “antidote” to all of it…the Holy Spirit.  He really does hear us…he really will answer our pleas…he really does love us enough to give us the perfect gift as we sit in the center of our uncertainty; the breath of life…the Holy Spirit.  Lets do more than watch the next two weeks tick by; lets really pray for the Holy Spirit to blow in and change us, settle us and bring us the joy of the Father!

A Seed To Plant:  What things are you are busy trying to control or manage?  Those struggles can make us tired and discouraged so where are the places you can invite the Spirit of God to rush in and bring direction, peace and rebirth?​

Blessings on your day!