Yesterday morning Tom and I had the privilege of attending church in Hood River Oregon. It was a very special service held at the Hood River Port Marina Park and attended by four churches - Bethel Congregational, Riverside UCC, Spirit of Grace ElCA/UMC and Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalists. The theme was Winds of the Spirit, a very fitting theme for this windy town which is best known for its wind surfing and kite surfing.
We heard talk about the complexity of the wind of the Spirit and its work in our world and sang about “the wind who makes all winds that blow”. Participants blew bubbles of blessing over the congregations and together we sang songs and created a column of prayer flags which flapped vigorously in the wind. It was a delight to be together with a group of people like this, worshipping and having fun together.
I have always been intrigued by the Holy Spirit , described in scripture in so many wonderful terms – Spirit of truth, advocate, comforter, sustainer, and closely linked with the coming of peace and the outpouring of love. For many the Spirit is the feminine side of God. For others it is the equipper, and strengthener, the eternal abiding presence of God. More than anything, for me, the Spirit is the equipper for service, the One who sends us out into the world to be God’s representatives of love and peace, of justice and reconciliation.
The Holy Spirit’s movement in our world always seems so unpredictable. Sometimes she seems like a gentle breeze that cools us on a hot day. She comforts and caresses us with a gentle touch. At other times she is more like a tornado or violent windstorm that disturbs everything in its path. As I thought about this after the service today it occurred to me that it is not the gentle breezes that the kite surfers look for. They want the fierce winds that lift them up off the waves and send them skimming rapidly across the river.
I wonder what we look for when we invite the spirit into our lives. Do we want gentle breezes that comfort and caress us, or are we willing to face the fierce winds that the kite surfers relish? Do we want the spirit to make us comfortable or to invite us out into risky waters that require courage and strength to negotiate. It is these risky waters I suspect that will bring the fruits of the spirit - the love, joy peace and justice that we alls so desperately hope for.
Come to us God almighty,
Send your Spirit like a mighty wind.
to blow through our hearts,
Feed your flame within.
Rushing wind blow on us,
Grow the sparks and spread them,
Let your Spirit prepare,
Strength and equip us.
Come to us Lord Jesus,
Send your Spirit.
Let it proclaim who you are,
And multiply your presence,
Throughout the earth.
Ignite its flame to fill us
with generosity and caring.
Come to us Spirit of truth,
Consume us with your fire.
Let your power shape our world,
with love and peace and justice.
Let your love fill our world
with compassion, and joy and hope.
Wonderful, and appropriate reflection for your time here in Hood River. Wonderful to have you and Tom here!