I’m writing today from the beautiful 200 acres of the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, SC, USA. Our Metropolis of Atlanta begins 5 weeks of summer camp ministry to our youth starting today.
As we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, being with these teens makes it all the more clear why this feast is of such vital importance today.
You see, there is nothing more powerful than intimacy with God to reinforce and grow love for God! And the coming of the Holy Spirit makes intimacy with God possible for each of us! The Holy Spirit makes possible the promise of our Lord Jesus in today’s Gospel lesson: “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven, for where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20.
The Holy Spirit grants the gifts of unity, intimacy, and communion. You can be sure in any situation where these gifts are lacking there is a need to seek repentance and a renewal of the Presence of the Holy Spirit.
This is why the daily practice of the spiritual disciplines of prayer and worship are vital to cultivate an awareness of the presence of the Holy Spirit. You see, my dearest,we don’t work to “get” the Holy Spirit to be with us! We do the disciplines of the faith to keep us aware of His eternal Presence already here. He has come and we need to stay awake to His Presence that is already closer to us than our next breath!
Today, do you sense His Presence in your life? You can!
