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Reflections by the Artist
S. Jewell S. McGhee 5-22-10
Spirit. Such an elusive concept. We would so much rather have the concrete. If only Jesus were here. If I could just see him, touch him, hear him.
Yet, there is an unparalleled intimacy to spirit. What is more intimate than our breath which is with us every moment of our waking and sleeping, which fills our very bodies and renews the life within us? What is more intimate than a gentle breeze across a flushed cheek? And a familiar smell has the power to reach within our minds and stroke even our most distant memories.
With Jesus’ physical presence at their side, his disciples fled, ran in terror and hid. With the presence of the Holy Spirit filling them, these same disciples, these mere men, were able to face horrific, horrendous deaths with confidence, even with joy.
We cannot feel what it would be, to be without the Spirit. We can only recognize the difference in these disciples’ lives. We must trust that Jesus spoke the truth when he said that it would be better when he sent the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would baptize his own with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
The Spirit of God fills us not only with an intimate presence of himself, but also with the burning, raging, joyous, fire of his presence.
It is the Spirit filling us which comforts us as well as pushes us. He burns us as well as warms us. His presence is beautiful and dangerous. He is as gentle as the aroma of a rose and as powerful as a raging inferno. He is God, and He is with us.
S. Jewell S. McGhee 5-22-10
Spirit. Such an elusive concept. We would so much rather have the concrete. If only Jesus were here. If I could just see him, touch him, hear him.
Yet, there is an unparalleled intimacy to spirit. What is more intimate than our breath which is with us every moment of our waking and sleeping, which fills our very bodies and renews the life within us? What is more intimate than a gentle breeze across a flushed cheek? And a familiar smell has the power to reach within our minds and stroke even our most distant memories.
With Jesus’ physical presence at their side, his disciples fled, ran in terror and hid. With the presence of the Holy Spirit filling them, these same disciples, these mere men, were able to face horrific, horrendous deaths with confidence, even with joy.
We cannot feel what it would be, to be without the Spirit. We can only recognize the difference in these disciples’ lives. We must trust that Jesus spoke the truth when he said that it would be better when he sent the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus would baptize his own with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
The Spirit of God fills us not only with an intimate presence of himself, but also with the burning, raging, joyous, fire of his presence.
It is the Spirit filling us which comforts us as well as pushes us. He burns us as well as warms us. His presence is beautiful and dangerous. He is as gentle as the aroma of a rose and as powerful as a raging inferno. He is God, and He is with us.
