Pentecost, the Spirit, and knotted-up lives

on reading Beth Moore

The Day of Pentecost is coming.

I have long suspected that God might not care about dates as much as we do, but then again, it was God’s idea to create repeated rhythms and practices of worship, so … maybe I’m wrong. If I were to dig deeper into my objection, it is likely that I don’t think God - or our worship - should be limited to dates on a calendar.

The Holy Spirit is not just to be noticed one day a year.

But the Day of Pentecost, for Christians, is the day when Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit was fulfilled. With wind, fire, speaking in tongues, sharing the good news of Jesus in a way that others could understand.

Oh, how thankful I am that our faith is an experienced one, not just a system of morality or doctrines.

I’ve nearly finished listening to Beth Moore’s “All My Knotted Up Life”. Wow. I’ve snorted laughing, right out loud, all by myself. I’ve wept. Cussed a little. And been comforted. She doesn’t fit anyone’s mould, and I know a tiny bit about that.

Honestly, I barely knew who Beth Moore was until maybe 2016 or 2017. I didn’t really know much about her (now former) denomination either. But I saw the social media vitriol. My stomach tightens even now, remembering the rabid mob, stirred up again and again, and I shuddered at the evil hatred of women that I saw coming from some parts, in the name of Jesus, no less.

It was vile.

I was stunned - still am - at Beth’s social media responses through it all. Vulnerable. Honest. Funny, oh my gosh, so FUNNY. Unwavering, unbending in standing for what was right, standing for victims of sexual abuse, while being defamed for daring - DARING - to preach. Her responses were some of the most Godly things I had ever seen. She took beating after beating, and I prayed for her, this sister I knew almost nothing about.

If you are a Christian leader - particularly if you are a male Christian leader - I dare you to read her book.

On the Day of Pentecost, the Spirit was poured out on women and men. Fires were lit within them that would give them courage to share Jesus, even through persecution, martyrdom, discouragement.

In our church this Sunday, we will wait again for the Holy Spirit. We will gather and pray, as those first Christians did so long ago. We will invite the presence of God to fill us again, lighting a fire within us that shapes us, forms us into people who reveal Jesus with courage … humility … kindness … integrity.

Come, Holy Spirit.