Today, I conclude this series #Fearlessly Renewing. It seemed so fitting for me to start this series on Spring Day, because it’s not just the birth of a new season that we anticipate annually; it’s especially the longing for renewal of our spirit. Wave after wave of cold fronts have continued to hit us this month – even snow in some places. But perhaps this is symbolic of our lives: renewal is a process. It is an ongoing process.
What I have discovered is that renewal is nothing but grace upon grace. It is grace that the sower – once again – walks with his seed bag and scatters seeds over our lives. It is grace when the seed falls on fertile ground. It is grace when the seed takes root. It is grace when fruit can be harvested from the seed. “We are God’s field,” writes Paul, “and God makes it grow” (according to 1 Cor 1:6-9).
One of the old desert fathers from the first century, Abba Zosimos of Palestine, said: “Grace is like a stream of water flowing directly from God, refreshing everyone who drinks from it.” The greater your thirst, the more urgent the invitation. The extent of the renewal we desire is also the extent to which we receive it. If we receive little, it is because we expect little. After all, we know that God “is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine” (Eph 3:20). Now we also understand why Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. … He will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask” (Luke 11:9-13).
Therefore, I pray with you: “Come, O Creator, Spirit; Life-giving Spirit. Come in all Your fullness; come in all Your power. Lead me in Your truth; teach me of Your Son. Be also my Comforter. Come, O Creator, Spirit.”
(from the Hymnbook, Hymn 439)
MUSIC: We look at the Afrikaans Christian Church (ACK), Christchurch’s lyric video of “Come, O Creator, Spirit”.