When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
-Acts 2:1-4

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
-Romans 8:26-27

Last Sunday was Pentecost. The church`s annual celebration of Pentecost marks the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples. The Spirit empowered the disciples to preach the good news in many languages, so that people from many nations would understand their message. Many people became part of the Christian community at that time, and joined the disciples in trying to live out Christ`s ministry in the earth. Little wonder that Pentecost is remembered as the birth of the church. (When I was little, growing up in the church, Pentecost was always celebrated as the birthday of the church. One year, the celebration was complete with a cake and balloons and the singing of Happy Birthday to You.)

Of course, the beginning of the church isn`t a bad thing to celebrate. But personally, I find a lot more meaning in the coming of the Spirit. Throughout the Bible we find God`s Spirit at work in the world. In Hebrew, the word `ruach` can be translated as wind or breath or spirit. God`s wind/breath/spirit hovered over the earth at the beginning of creation, and God breathed wind/breath/spirit into dust in the creation of humanity. This same Spirit forms the church, and continues to dwell among and within us today. In some of the more difficult moments in my life, I find Paul`s words in Romans to be a great comfort: “we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.”

The Holy Spirit is the word that we Christians use to talk about the presence of God stirring in our hearts, and in all creation. It is always with us, and yet comes to us in new ways. The Spirit of God is there, sometimes quietly and sometimes with a shout, to comfort and heal and challenge us.

As we celebrate Pentecost in the church, I pray that you`re able to do the same in your own life.

“You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons you called to each thing:
wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.
Spirit, Spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, Wind, Wind on the sea.”
-James K. Manley