The Holy Spirit Embodies Goodness Knows What
The Holy Spirit in the Christian faith is sometimes difficult to wrap one’s head around. There are those with a firm view of a bearded elderly God sitting on a throne either as a benevolent or punishing father. And plentiful stories of Jesus give ample material to weave visions. But the Holy Spirit is elusive; more complicated to nail down.
Descriptors vary the Holy Spirit explained as: wind, flame, invisible force that compels people to speak in unlearned languages, breath, healing energy, a dove, a burning bush, body parts such as fingers (don’t believe me then check out Psalm 8:3 & Luke 11:20) and more. But what is it? A person, a force of nature, an idea—the embodiment of goodness knows what!
How does one relate when it sounds so remote and impersonal?
The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. Genesis 1:2 (RSV)
Remote and Impersonal Holy Spirit
Yet, Jesus tells his disciples at The Ascension (refer: The Ascension of Joy and Sorrow) he will send them a friend and helper, a constant presence in good times and bad. Jesus couldn’t physically be with them anymore but his life-force, the Holy Spirit, could continue.
I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, who will stay with you forever. He is the Spirit, who reveals the truth about God. The world cannot receive him, because it cannot see him or know him. But you know him, because he remains with you and is in you. John 14:16-17 (GNT)
Perception of a remote and impersonal force gets discarded when we see and feel the effects of the Holy Spirit. Jesus assures us that in life and death, in joy and sorrow, his presence continues. An internal companionship influences the “what” to lose importance as the “what it does” takes precedence as we relate to the Holy Spirit.
The Relatable Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit sat with my mother and me in the doctor’s examination room while we waited on her prognosis (refer: Blog Post on Joyful Sorrow). In the doctor’s verdict from a foot standing on imminent sorrow the weight shifted to joy on the other. It could have been the other way.
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8 (ESV)
Mostly, I have known the Holy Spirit as a subtle force; unbridled power and weight in ordinary moments, easily missed or misconstrued.
But a constant companion in joy and sorrow.
