Holy Spirit as Fire: Guiding the Way
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, “I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up.” When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” ~ Exodus 3:1-4
They set out from Succoth, and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. ~ Exodus 13:20-22
It was a fire that set Moses on his course.
It was a fire that led Moses and his people by night through the wilderness.
How often is fire a critical way in which we either see or are led?
Or how often does a fire protect us?
The Spirit of God hovers like wind and breath, but also lights up our hearts, our minds, and our lives.
She gives us a way to see God and each other.
She gives us a North Star to follow.
She clears away the cobwebs - in our minds, vision, hearts - to see clearly what we've been missing.
She protects us from those who would harm us.
She gives us a way to see a path before us without stumbling.
The Spirit of God does not leave us to our own devices. She is present, bright and available. Like fire she can burn and cause fear, but can also save and protect and lead.
She leads the way when we just aren't sure what direction to go in.
Prayer: Spirit of the Living God, brighten the way before me so that your way is my way. Amen
They set out from Succoth, and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness. The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people. ~ Exodus 13:20-22
It was a fire that set Moses on his course.
It was a fire that led Moses and his people by night through the wilderness.
How often is fire a critical way in which we either see or are led?
Or how often does a fire protect us?
The Spirit of God hovers like wind and breath, but also lights up our hearts, our minds, and our lives.
She gives us a way to see God and each other.
She gives us a North Star to follow.
She clears away the cobwebs - in our minds, vision, hearts - to see clearly what we've been missing.
She protects us from those who would harm us.
She gives us a way to see a path before us without stumbling.
The Spirit of God does not leave us to our own devices. She is present, bright and available. Like fire she can burn and cause fear, but can also save and protect and lead.
She leads the way when we just aren't sure what direction to go in.
Prayer: Spirit of the Living God, brighten the way before me so that your way is my way. Amen