“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
I write this on Pentecost Sunday, a day set aside in the church year, fifty days after Easter Sunday, to commemorate the event of Christ’s apostles being filled with His Holy Spirit. This promised Comforter was to lead them into all truth and to teach them. On Pentecost, the Spirit came in tongues of fire, hovering over each recipient, personally filling each one to walk out his life in Christ with boldness. (Acts 1)
I have known this Scripture from my childhood, was confirmed in the church of my youth with the sacrament acknowledging the Spirit’s presence within me. Yet today, one phrase in this account stuck out for me with new meaning. I thought of our chronic pain and illness community; “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 1:4).
Often this accounting is part of the charismatic teaching on the gifts the Spirit bestows. I am not negating that.
What I “heard differently” today in this reading was how all of us have been given, not only the Holy Spirit, but a different language that each of us has learned, one that only the Holy Spirit can help us discern. We use it as we talk to one another because we each know the language of pain and suffering. We each know the feelings that accompany a life changed dramatically, tearing at the identity we once had and causing us to fumble around wondering if God can use us or how He will use us in spite of or because of our afflictions.
What remains constant when illness and pain enters our lives is God’s Holy Spirit?
I am renewed to focus, not on the burden of the new language, but the gift it is that allows the Holy Spirit to guide me in the truth and teach me how to walk more deeply with Him. He knows how hard the road can be. He can speak to me with authority. I can reach for the comfort that only He can give and receive it with faith. He has more to teach me and ways to reach me as we partner on this road that we walk together.
Prayer: Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. (From a song penned by Daniel Iverson)
About the Author:
Lynn Severance is a retired elementary classroom teacher. She lives in Lynnwood, Washington. She writes to encourage others as God has encouraged her during 30 years of living with daily physical challenges. Visit Lynn’s blog and sign up to receive new postings in your email box! http://lynn-severance.blogspot.com
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How would you describe the way/s you experience the Holy Spirit? How have you found that He personally comforts you? Do you recognize Him as the author of a new language you are learning to speak and use as you face your daily challenges?
Dear Lynn,
Thank you for a wonderful new vision of the Holy Spirit. I too am Catholic and remember my confirmation. What is sad is my knowledge of the Spirit was always focused on the “list” of spiritual gifts, not how they impact my everyday life.
Thanks to your devotional, I was able to sit and think on the Spirit and see how He has worked in my life, eps since becoming very ill. I see that “list” as working gifts in my life.
Thanks again
Maria
Hi Maria – thanks for your comment.
I do understand what you are saying here. It is one thing to appreciate the gifts that the person of the Holy Spirit can give to us and another thing to be in a relationship with Him as the Giver of the gifts.
Both are important. I find that I need to rest in Him and then let Him work out what He feels is the gift (the comfort or the peace or the hope or what it is that I need and that only He can give.
Bless you!
Lynn
WOW! I’m excited! I have never looked at it QUITE that way before! I always knew my ‘affliction’ has taught me more about how to minister to others (2Corinthians 1:3-5). But I never realized I was speaking in TOUNGES, that only those who knew my same struggle through affliction could understand! Thank You! God used you to open my eyes today. Blessings~TK
Teresa – you and me both! I had never seen or thought of this interpretation. It “hit” me in church ( a good place to get inspired ) as I heard the readings on Pentecost Sunday.
I am not sure I have ever put a devotional together quite so quickly ( typing in tongues?? ). I did let it set a while and went back to edit it but the main ideas just flowed. I am so glad it inspired you!
Blessings back!
Lynn
Oh Lynn, I absolutely LOVE the song that you had as your prayer. I’d always sung it with such passion in church as I led the worship team! Sometimes I’d get frustrated that I didn’t think others REALLY understood those words! (How arrogant!) Now I see that I didn’t REALLY understand those words either….. until now!!! Now that I’m confined to my bed & recliner I’ve been broken & melted & I’m on the way to being molded & filled! I can honestly say “Praise God”……now! Only a few months ago that would not have been possible, as I was soooooo angry, frustrated & grieving. Of course I want to be well & experience healing, but for now I’ve accepted & embraced this current situation.
Thank you Lynn, you explained this for me so well in a way I’d never thought about either. Although I do have the gift of tongues I discovered a new “tongue” here on RM……1 that everyone understands & speaks. Such a blessing to have this new home for me. Thanks again. Lotsoluv Kerryn
Kerryn – I love your enthusiasm. It is how I felt when this new “interpretation” hit me.
We really do have a great community here at RM and each understands the hard journey of living with a chronic condition.
I can well understand your frustration and grief as it sounds like the condition you have has dramatically changed your life somewhat recently if you are homebound, bedbound, recliner bound. Share more about that if you want to.
I am able to get out but when home I have to lie down on my couch when not attending to getting the basic needs around here done. I live alone so there is only me and Jesus doing any of the work that needs to get done! I lie on my couch with my laptop to write as it is the only comfortable position for me.
I am heading in to year 30 with the vestibular dysfunction that keeps me in a constant state of dizziness. More damage was done in 2005 that has caused additional limitations. There are many steps along these traisl that we each need to grief as they are losses that hurt. That said, it can also have us turning to God in new ways as we truly know that He is the strength we need to persevere.
How wonderful that you led worship and you must miss being able to do that so much. God will bring new ways for you to serve. Being home and reaching out to others via this wonder of technology is a true means to serve. You just blessed me with amazing words of encouragement!
Are you in the Sunroom or on Facebook where you can be reached? Many of us here are and it is one more avenue to “have a life” when we cannot get out often ( or at all ).
Bless you!
Much Love,
Lynn