Tools of the spirit
With the radiant light of Easter’s resurrection illuminating the glorious shape of the cross before our path, we are moving through these happy weeks to Pentecost and the coming of God the Holy Spirit.
A difficult idea for many. Let us make it easier to understand by making it human. Paul tells us: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5.22).
These are the tools we use as we live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Now the stage for living in the Holy Spirit is our own ordinary life.
One of my fundamental convictions is the importance of people, the value of the individual person.
This truth was re-enforced for me the other day when I was obliged to stay in hospital as a patient.
A viral something-or-other caught me. Every patient in that hospital ward mattered as an individual and was surrounded by a circle of care from consultant and doctors through nursing staff to the cleaning teams and ancillaries.
The incalculable worth of an individual life. That worth is being attacked from so many quarters and by a multitude of threats. Many decent families are struggling to make ends meet.
They are caught in the JAM – just about managing. Foodbanks are an urgent necessity in modern Britain. This is a disgrace in 21st century UK. These are but two ways in which the worth of individuals and their families is being devalued.
One of the greatest pleasures and privileges enjoyed by any minister or priest is the chance to meet young children in schools and organisations.
This is particularly important for me just now while I work as a locum in the congregation of Dreghorn and Springside with its 40-strong Sunday School.
To see the blossoming of children with their developing minds and outlook and their irresistible innocence is to witness the development of the miracle that is human nature.
Little wonder that Jesus used children so often to teach adult people about the kingdom of God – adults with wider experiences but perhaps more shuttered minds.
This is where Christianity belongs.
In particular, this is where the Easter gospel message of the Calvary passion and happy rising of Jesus must be planted.
In that hospital ward where sick people are restored to recovery, I watched a young nurse who used her care and kindness to restore a sick lady to health and strength. In the school classroom, skilled teachers develop young minds. In countless homes, caring parents bring up their families in safety and strength.
At nine in the morning and three in the afternoon the streets around our schools are filled with young mothers bringing their children home from the security of the school to the safety of their home.
These are the scenes with multitudes more where the seed of the Christian message is and can be sown.
Where the immense secret of life that God cares and loves people can be broadcast so that all might know the secret of God.
That is where the Holy Spirit will dwell, and will spread abroad all the wonderful gifts that the Spirit of God can shower upon people.
“For the gifts of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, ,kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5.22). God’s heavenly gifts are our human qualities. God made these gifts in heaven and we can use and share them on earth
When we share our material things we are left the poorer.
But when we share our spiritual and personal gifts we are twice as rich. Your Christian love is deepened not diminished by sharing.
Your Christian joy is happier when you give it to others. Share a problem and you half it.
Share a blessing and you double it.
For it is in the ordinary scenes and walks of life that we can share our Easter faith.
But be on the lookout. In these ordinary scenes you will rub shoulders with Jesus. And as you walk your own way of life you will find the Risen Lord walking beside you.
“Jesus himself drew near and walked with them”(Luke 24.15).