Where Have I Seen the Holy Spirit at Work? Like the followers of Jesus, who were hiding on the day of Pentecost, I have seen the Holy Spirit at work and show up at times and in places that I least expected or anticipated. I have witnessed the Holy Spirit show up in sick rooms, when a doctor pronounced that a tumor was no longer present or a patient would fully recover. I have seen the Holy Spirit show up in places of grief, comforting and assuring a family that lost a loved one. I have witnessed the Holy Spirit move in desolate places, assuring people that all was not lost. And I have witnessed the Holy Spirit show up in my own life when situations were beyond my control and God’s grace was more than sufficient to guide, keep, open doors and hearts, and make ways out of no ways.
In this season at ELPC, many of us may think or feel that the Holy Spirit has left the building after almost three years of being separated by COVID and mask wearing; the continuation of hybrid meetings and virtual worship. Some of you may feel that the Holy Spirit has abandoned the building as Pastor Randy has been called to a sister church to provide pastoral leadership. However, beloved, the Prophet Isaiah reminds us that “God is about to do a new thing: now it springs forth…” On the day of Pentecost, the followers of Christ were cowering in fear, they felt abandoned, threatened, and powerless. They could not imagine, think, or sense the new thing that God was about to do, and just like that, God’s new thing showed up!
I am so thankful that God does not leave us alone and the Holy Spirit shows up in people, places, and times where and when we least expect. The Holy Spirit shows up every day with the rising and setting of the sun; the Holy Spirit shows up in the laughter and smiles of young and old alike; the Holy Spirit shows up as we accompany people who have come to our city from war torn and dangerous countries, when we walk with a single parent preparing for homeownership or to further their education. The Holy Spirit shows up in soup kitchens, shelters, clothing banks, and at furniture and food collection sites. And the Holy Spirit is in places of worship, both grand and small.
I look forward to witnessing and participating in how the Holy Spirit shows up, moves, leads, and blesses our individuals and collective lives in this season of Pentecost and transition. And I imagine that by God’s grace, we will all be in awe, come to know one another in new and diverse ways, and be transformed and empowered to be God’s disciples in our church and the world. “God is about to do a new thing: now it springs forth…”
Blessings and peace always,
—Pastor Patrice