Spirit People?
I'm sure that my feelings about spiritual people has not changed since my early teenage, when I first came across a Pentecostal Minister, who seemed to be able to see into my darkest secrets, it made me feel utterly sinful, it also frightened the life out of me. As I (not especially through that ministry!) moved rapidly away from anything spiritual, I developed a cynical view of spiritual people. I'm afraid that a little of that still exists today. It's Pentecost very soon, when we are challenged to be spiritual people, and I just wonder if that is an inviting challenge? Does the prospect of becoming more spiritual excite you? Does it give you the same buzz as say, becoming a millionaire, or landing a big contract or getting straight A's in your exams? Would you be on cloud nine if you had a reputation (spoken quietly in dark corners) that you are a spiritual person? Or how would you feel if you had been invited to spend a really exciting weekend with a 'spiritual person'?
I've got a gut feeling that, for me, a week end with a S.P. would be like eating my greens, maybe necessary but not all that exciting! It may be just my history, but when someone tells me to be spiritual, I have the same sinking feeling of going to the dentist; or on a Sunday morning arriving in the pulpit I spot the Bishop sitting in the third row in front of me, (with his note book). I know I would love to be 'really' spiritual' a bit more like Jesus, but ... It is the BUT that worries me, why does the invitation to be spiritual feel so uninviting? What does it mean to be 'spiritual?' I guess until I know the answer, I will not really be able to fully celebrate Pentecost. I suppose the problem is bad press, poor spin. 'She's so spiritual', meaning hands folded gently on her lap, eyes heavenward, never walks but glides across the church. I feel a yawn coming on. I'm always putting my foot in it, looking the wrong way when the organist is trying to catch my attention, swear when the radio mike is on, and sometimes improperly dressed, even at an AGM! I'm not passive, I'm not very patient, I don't look as if there is a nasty smell in the room nor do I sit as if I am balancing on a drawing pin. Does this mean I'm not spiritual? have I really got to be unworldly, restrained, passive.... boring to be spiritual?
On the day of Pentecost, the disciples were in a small room, scared, hurt, angry, moaning, impatient, blaming and all the other normal things we feel when everything, just everything has gone wrong. Then something happened, first a gentle sound of a breeze, of breathing, then a glimmer of light in that dark room. Then the 'breathing' got louder, it began to sound like a hurricane and feel like a zephyr, or tangible peace! It gently surrounded them, not frightening them like a Pentecostal minister, this was, this was freedom, peace, power, gentleness, excitement as they had never known before.
They were becoming filled with the same spirit that filled Jesus.
I think the answer to my question has arrived. It is to be like Jesus, or perhaps the disciples. People who have found their freedom in God, freed from restraints that burden the spirit, people who are actively engaged with God, engaged in life, earthy people, involved people. I think I would really like to spend a weekend (with Lin) in the company of a spiritual person who can be fully present with me, who can embrace me, who will celebrate life with me, no matter what my circumstance, good or bad, delighted or depressed. Who will also challenge me to think when I want to forget, to forgive when I want to revenge, to receive when I want to give, to be angry when I fear my rage. To help me to do, when I decide on another committee. Being spiritual will stop us all from saying we're too young or too old, done it all before, been too hurt, not wanted, of no value. A spiritual person who is truly free is convinced that they are of worth and value to God and can invite others to feel the gentle breeze and see the glimmer of light.
Become what you are: sons and daughters of the Pentecost Spirit.