Signs of Life – The Flame
Acts 2. 1-4
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
In our modern world, a flame may seem an odd symbol to associate with God’s Holy Spirit. We might think of fire’s dangerous potential – last year’s fires in Australia and in the Amazon spring to mind. And yet, in the time before electric lightbulbs and central heating, fire was the main source of both warmth and light. And not only that, but it was (and is) associated with creation – from tools and weapons to a roasted meal.
As we pray for God’s Holy Spirit to transform our lives, as it transformed the lives of that first community of Christ’s followers, all of these associations are relevant.
The comforting warmth of God’s love for us. The light of God’s guidance in our lives, as we draw close to him. And the dangerous (because unpredicatable) transformation of our very selves, leading us to – who knows where? (Quite possibly not where we were expecting!)
Are we courageous enough to take the words of today’s hymn, and to truly make them a prayer for our own lives, never knowing where the Holy Spirit may be leading us?
Heavenly Father,
You have called us through your Son,
to be messengers of hope:
Send your Spirit
with the flame of faith to strengthen us,
the light of truth to guide us,
the fire of love to unite us,
that your Kingdom may be found here on earth
and your glory to be made known to all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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