Pastoral Devotion for June – “Come Holy Spirit”

Read Acts 2:1-21
“Come Holy Spirit.” It’s only three words but as the believers of Christ were gathered together in an upper room on that day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon them in mighty fashion. Their prayer was answered in a dramatic way. The Spirit compelled them to take to the streets of Jerusalem and share the Word of God concerning Jesus Christ. To be filled with the Spirit of God means being open to the direction of the Holy Spirit as he drives us into action.
As we live out each new day, are we really sure we want to follow the direction the Holy Spirit will lead us? Remember, following his Baptism, Jesus was driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness. In the wilderness he faced forty days of temptation and anguish. Do we really want to receive that Spirit? As it was with the disciples, the Holy Spirit compels us to leave the safety of our closed doors and comfortable homes.
The wilderness is filled with uncertainty. It is filled with doubt, challenges, problems and difficulties. Sometimes it is hard to find our way through the wilderness. But that’s where the church is needed most. The question remains, “Are we sure we want to go?”
God calls all Christians to be his witnesses so that others may be refreshed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be strengthened through the fellowship of believers. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that the church is able to accomplish the work God would have us do. The blessing is, that no matter where the Spirit leads us, Christ promises to be there.
As we pray, “Come Holy Spirit” we pray that we would be filled with the Spirit that makes things happen, the Spirit that leads us away from the safety of our own four walls in order to make Jesus known to a world lost in sin. Do we really want to be filled with that Holy Spirit? I pray it is so.
Prayer: Come Holy Spirit. Fill the hearts of your faithful, and kindle within us the fire of your love. Amen.