THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Like many people, I proudly display “pictures” by my brother’s small grandchildren, scrawls that only the eyes of love can call art. Our desire to be creative is deep in human nature, and we can raise our spirits, and grow, through music, painting, theatre and more.

Most of us create for ourselves, but great artists can lift us above and beyond ourselves to help us see the world more deeply, in new ways. Good art, like the beauty of nature, speaks above our usual limitations, and our imaginations are stretched beyond expectation.

The Hebrew word “ruach”, means breath, wind, the Spirit that moves over the face of the waters at the dawn of time, as Genesis puts it.

It covers the universe and yet has the intimate human element, as in the air we breathe.

Last Sunday was Pentecost when Christians mark the mystery of the coming of the Spirit of God, warming, encouraging, challenging, sending out love, and receiving love from creation.

The Spirit is “breath” on an unimaginable scale, untainted by the blockages we have to loving, and unlimited by the nature of time. This Sunday is Trinity Sunday, the celebration of the creative, loving, community of the threeness-in-oneness of God.

In a time of out-of-control commercialism, the Trinity of dynamic love helps us see beyond ourselves.

We touch something of the love of the Trinity when we delight at spring growth, stars, or feel the wind on the sea, the warm breath of a friend. We are created in the image of a Creator, rejoice in creating and enjoying, and are drawn into the creative love within God, and given to humanity.

Love in Christian tradition is about doing the best for others, regardless of liking. We can live more lightly on creation, and focus on people, not things, offering a service for someone in need, or happiness for someone who has not enough love in their life.

Rosemary Power, Argyll.