AN AMAZING DAY!

Wind is a powerful image. In earlier times, seafarers relied on the wind to navigate the seas. Indeed, it was the wind that brought my ancestors in a tiny ship to this country. And it’s the wind that we now rely on for much needed renewable energy supplies.

So, it’s appropriate the wind features in today’s celebration as we mark the coming of the Holy Spirit and the empowering of God’s people for service. For wind gets things moving. Wind clears the air and drives people forward. Without the wind things would be stale and stagnant.

Breath is also a powerful image. Without breath there would be no life. Indeed when a person ceases breathing there is a critical cause for alarm.

And breath also features in today’s celebration. It’s found in John’s Gospel, a very different account to the one we read in Acts. Here Jesus breathes on his disciples and they are enlivened and energized to bear witness to their Lord.

Ancient Israel celebrated the wind, for it was a powerful wind that drove the sea back, allowing the people safe passage out of bondage and slavery in Egypt. Meanwhile the same community remembered the significance of breath because it was God’s breath that gave life to a lump of clay, thus creating humankind.

On this Day of Pentecost, God’s Spirit comes to give us life. God’s Spirit is offered to drive us forward. Without the Spirit there is no life. Without the Spirit we go now-where. Indeed, without this amazing gift of wind and breath we become sterile and immobile.

Today, God’s Spirit is gifted to us. Let us put up our sails and move on. Let us take a deep breath and receive the fullness of life.

For God’s Spirit is here. God’s Spirit is moving us on. God’s Spirit is giving us life.

What a truly amazing day!
John Barr