A Rare Post from Darren

I've enjoyed reading Sara's posts (big surprise there, eh?) about church. As Kelly said, I've appreciated her willingness to "look a little un-put-together."

I don't share the dislike of church with Sara. My mom recently described my dad as loving church on “Sundays and Sunday nights and Bible studies and prayer meetings and choir practices and board meetings and deacons' meetings and music nights and praise & prayer services and whatever else is offered 8 nights a week.” That pretty much describes me too.

However, Sara is much more comfortable with the spontaneous working of the Holy Spirit than I am. Far more. I realized several months ago during a conversation with Sara that the images of the Spirit in Scripture – fire, water, wind – are images that I am uncomfortable because of their fluid power. My mom has said many times that she loves the Holy Spirit. I tend to try to avoid Him.

So here’s a short description of my feelings on the matter.

Hymn to the Holy Spirit

I fear Thee, O multi-splendoured Spirit,

For my aspect is Earth.

But Thou art Fire

and Water

and Wind.

All of which dance.

The licking flames, the rushing flood, and the mighty gale are infamously injurious to dirt’s dignity.

Yet dirt alone cannot live.

So breathe life in my hard clay.

Bathe me in Thine ocean’s swells.

Fire me in the kiln of Thy desire.

Above all, teach this clump of dirt to dance.

--DJ