The Deacon’s View
“Beneath the Soil” Work

For the next six months we will be journeying through the Season of Pentecost, sometimes called ‘Ordinary Time’.  This long season can, at first glance, seem quietly dull...no big Church celebrations, summer vacation time sets in, many activities take a ‘time out’ until fall.  But remember, Pentecost is the season of the Spirit, who, like the wind, remains unseen, yet is actively at work to guide us into God’s truth.  The Spirit does this work by helping us remember Jesus’ words and activities and then to make the connections/linkages that enable us to see ourselves and the world around us differently.
    The season of Pentecost needs to be long, and to occur during a less hectic time of the year, for there is much “beneath the soil” work to be done in each of us.  Each of us being different, this interior work will also differ in the details. But the general areas tend to be similar.  Think of yourself as a plant that has become root-bound.  To be spiritually healthy (and I think mentally and physically healthy also), our spiritual roots need to go deep into the soil of God’s presence and attending nourishment.  But in our daily distractions and avoidances our spiritual roots lose their sense of direction, and become increasingly wrapped up in them selves.  (Of course, most of us do not recognize this as My problem!)
    So, just on the off chance that it is MY problem, here’s a list of pretty universal areas for each of us to expose to the Spirit’s scrutiny during this Pentecost season:
What do I need to let go of, or loosen my grasp upon?  Jesus let go of His ministry, confidently trusting God to use eleven clueless disciples carry it on to completion.
What new thing might God be calling me to do?   Resist the temptation to think you’re too old, or have never done this before, or that you haven’t the time.  Moses, Mary, David and all the saints could have used, but didn’t, these excuses.
What is preventing me from simply “resting in”, or with, God each day?   Forget the “nothing ever happens” response.  Just because YOU don’t think anything is going on, doesn't mean that the Spirit isn’t unsnarling your bound up roots! Acorns do become oak trees, tiny newborns do grow into adults and deaf musician (like Beethoven) can compose great music.

Pentecost is the season for the people of God to once again do their individual spiritual housecleaning, so that collectively we can become the Church renewed and revitalized, making a difference in the world for Jesus’ sake.

Your root-bound, but untangling, Deacon,                         Gay.