|
|
|
|
|
| D I A N E o S |
D I S P A T C H |
June 2006
Dear Friends,The other day I went shopping with a friend. She was looking to buy a birthday present for a colleague in her office. So imagine my surprise when we find ourselves in a toy department and my friend emerges with a kite! "So, why a kite?" I ask her, imagining that her colleague must have children who like to spend time in the park. "Well" came the reply. "This kite is just the thing. I think my colleague must have an overactive digestive system because he has a lot of wind!" "Poor man" I thought. "I hope he has also got a good sense of humour and isn’t too sensitive about his complaint!" But you know this incident got me thinking because this month we celebrate Pentecost. And although the Holy Spirit is traditionally represented by the symbol of a dove or a flame - why not use the symbol of a kite?! After all didn’t Jesus say "The wind blows wherever it wishes; you hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. It is like that with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (Jn3v8) Luke, in his account of Pentecost, describes how there was a roaring sound of a mighty rushing wind or a hurricane in the house - yet nothing was blown over. Then flames of fire touched everyone - yet no one was burnt. The disciples were filled with the Spirit of God and they began talking in other languages. What strange, spectacular and dramatic events! When God’s Spirit came he empowered the disciples by making them bold and courageous and he also gave them the gift of speaking in different languages. These gifts were suitable and appropriate. They were given to prayerful, humble people who were transformed and energised and who went out into a hurting and a needy world to make known God’s love. Sometimes the Holy Spirit does come to us in dramatic ways. Yet at other times he comes in quieter, more gentle ways. Whatever or whichever way he comes, he is God’s gift of himself to us - the very life of God in us - and he equips and enables us to serve him. So while I am left pondering about that gift of a kite and the person who received it. I give thanks to God for his gift of Holy Spirit who is wholly appropriate and suitable – in fact he is just what I need. Lord, give us your Spirit, your Spirit that is love. Lord, fill us with your life, freely given for the world. (Sandy Hardyman Hymns and Psalms No 319) Love Diane
|