We spend so much of our lives waiting. We start waiting with expectation and excitement, but as time goes on, we can lose energy and hope. We are still waiting, but we can become less trusting. We worry about what can go wrong, rather than being hopeful about what might change for the better.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day in the Christian church when we think of the coming of the holy spirit. This is based on a reading from Acts chapter 2, where the holy spirit is described like a violent wind, tongues of fire, enabling them to speak in all languages. 

The disciples had been waiting in Jerusalem, we think for about 10 days, since Jesus returned  to be with His heavenly Father, for the coming of the holy spirit. The disciples, the women and Jesus family waited and prayed, maybe finding strength in community.

In verse 2 of our passage, it says that the holy spirit came to the house in which they were sitting. I love that detail- they were sitting, and the holy spirit came to them.

Sometimes we have no energy to get out and about, we have no motivation to get around, but even if we are sitting in a chair, the Holy Spirit can find us.

God comes to find us. We may be hiding or feel lost or out of sorts, but God stoops down to come alongside us. In the New Living Translation of Psalm 116 in verse 2 it says:

‘Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath.’

Amazing- the King of all the Universe bends down to listen to us, to show us compassion, to bring us healing.

And even more that this, He sends His Holy Spirit, the breathe of life, to breath colour and vibrancy and energy into us, to help us live more fully, with that purpose of sharing His love with all. Pentecost is a time of such grace and gifting, we have cause to be thankful, and to discover all that God wants to share with us.

Father God, sometimes we feel too small, too unworthy to be noticed by You. We are hiding from you. Yet in Jesus Christ You offer us forgiveness for our shortcomings and mistakes. And then You send Your Holy spirit to us, even whilst we sit in our chairs. There is no where we can hide from You, that is beyond Your discovery. You come with the sound of a violent wind to blow away the dross and cobwebs in our lives. You come as the fire, to give us colour and passion. You speak to us of your tender love, You remind us that You see us, that You plan to restore and revive us, and we surrender, grateful for this day.

(Illustration from Free Photo Library)