When someone achieves something impressive, typically against great odds, it is not uncommon to congratulate them. That’s the spirit!, we tell them. It’s a compliment to their drive, fortitude and perseverance. It is telling them they are using their ability to its fullest. 

Where does our ability come from? Who gives us our talents? I believe that all of us are gifted with certain talents. I believe they are bestowed on us by God, our Creator. Sure, you can argue that it is genetics, upbringing, environment, lucky breaks and any other number of good sounding arguments. I see all of that as part of the “Great Design”. I’ve also experienced enough inner awakening to my personal talents to believe they are gifts of the Spirit. Furthermore, I have seen so much in others to convince me that this is how God works.

The Holy Spirit is a mysterious person of the Trinity. Long ago I gave up trying to define God and instead I try to simply say yes to God. Thy will be done. Nevertheless, I still find it easier to contemplate God the Father and God the Son (Jesus the Christ). When it comes to the Spirit things get very unpredictable. Wonderfully so!

The Feast of Pentecost that we just celebrated June 12 is considered to be a birthing of the Christian Church. On that day, according to Acts 2:1-13, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and first believers. People visiting Jerusalem from other countries were surprised to hear these men preaching boldly and in the native languages of the many foreigners. The disciples were, by and large, uneducated, “rough around the edges” fellows. They were not known for their public speaking abilities (at least not yet) or their bilingual skills.

The Spirit is like the wind…it blows where it will (John 3:8). None of us can deny or stop God’s Holy Spirit. We can try. But you can’t stop or direct the wind. Much better to be like a windmill and let the Spirit empower you and guide you.

God wants to fill you with the Spirit. Say yes to it and get ready for a great adventure – the adventure of your life! Don’t huddle in fear behind locked doors, like the disciples did in the days after the passion, death and resurrection of the Lord. Recall that Jesus came to them, despite the locked doors (John 20:19-22). He didn’t reprimand them. He didn’t scold them for hiding in fear. Instead he greeted them. “Peace be with you”. And he breathed on them. “Receive the Holy Spirit.” 

God wants to give you the Spirit. It wasn’t just when Jesus rose. It wasn’t just at Pentecost. These were important visible expressions of the outpouring of the Spirit. But God has been pouring out the Spirit on us since the beginning of the world (Genesis 1:2). In the Old Testament there are many examples of God’s Spirit moving among us. Jeremiah 31:31-34 speaks of a time when people will know God in their hearts and minds. 

I hope you sense God’s Spirit calling to you. The great gift of this Advocate is free to all. The Helper comes to all who ask. You can’t buy it; you can’t earn it. You can only say “yes” to it! Lord, send out your spirit and renew the face of the earth (see Psalm 104).

That’s the Spirit.