The Forgotten Holy Spirit

Most believers consider their Church open to the moving and power of the Holy Spirit. They see various evidences and manifestations of His presence in the midst and this is reassuring. Then there are periods when nothing much seems to be happening and it seems possible that they could be in danger of becoming comfortable with very little. 

I have been reading a book on the Holy Spirit written by an Evangelical preacher who carefully negotiates around the Gifts and manifestations that we consider normal proof of the Holy Spirits activities. (He studiously avoids mentioning ‘tongues’.) Instead he focuses on subjects like prayer, intimacy and suffering. He talks about everything we might consider as fringe benefits or everyday leadings, nuances and promptings that we possibly take for granted. Are they too easily 'wowed' like children?

It would be so easy to dismiss such a book as being ‘wishy-washy’ or lacking reality. (I was tempted to do this!) Then you are confronted with the possibility that by magnifying and being grateful for the small miracles of the everyday Christian life, such believers may be on to something.

When we speak of power, many of us are thinking of various outstanding manifestations of the Holy Spirit and we can be condescending to those who use the word ‘power’ in reference to more simple occurrences that we may not think worth mentioning to others. Are we dishonouring the Holy Spirit by being expectant of more exhibitionist displays of His grace in our meetings? Should we become as many seemingly bland or logic-driven churches in order to appreciate the seemingly smaller events? In any case we need to become extremely grateful and appreciative of the wonderful Holy Spirit if we want to keep His presence among us.