A spirit of adoption

Response to May 27th sermon.

For the lessons today go here: Day of Pentecost, RCL. Since they all apply I'm not going to insert them all here and create a post a mile long. I don't need help doing that, I do it all by myself.

I am usually gone for Pentecost. It falls most years on Memorial Day weekend. A weekend I usually spend in Alma Michigan at the annual highland festival getting my yearly dose of all things Scottish. This year was odd. Not least because the previous year I'd been in Scotland and I am horribly homesick (for Scotland that is). For various reasons I wasn't willing to miss Pentecost this year. So we drove home Saturday night through the rain.

S reminded us of a story she'd told before (at least I'd heard it) about her first time in a pulpit. How her priest had called her up and sprung the request on her out of the blue. I couldn't help remembering that she had done the exact same thing to me last year on Pentecost and I'd had much the same reaction that she related now. In short, I ran about in a panic until the last minute when I finally sat down and listened. God solved both our problems for us once we were willing to listen.

One of the priests where I attended church during college once asked us to consider which part of the Trinity we felt most connected to or comfortable with. For most people it was Jesus. For me it was the Father. For this priest it was the Spirit. I remember wondering how the heck the Spirit could be his choice.

But in the past few months I think my answer has changed. It is the Spirit of change, the Spirit of courage, the Spirit of justice, the Spirit of truth who I have felt move through my life. It is the Spirit, that with my spirit has given me words and abilities I never expected. It is the Spirit who has moved me, sometimes literally. It is the Spirit who has sometimes hounded and herded. It is the Spirit who has spoken in my ear.

Before it was only the Father I looked to. God was a big loving presence to call on when I was scared or lonely or unhappy. God bandaged my knee and dried my tears and sent me on my way (perhaps I should have said God the Mother). I still need that part of God, I still need to feel safe and loved and supported. I still need to turn to my heavenly parent in fear or confusion. But I am ready to see that God is more than the comforter of my childhood. I am ready for God to use me, drive me, urge me.

Come, Holy Spirit
fill me with fire.
Come, Holy Spirit
ignite me with purpose.
Come, Holy Spirit, come!