Ordinary Time

February 17, 2023

Scripture Reading:

2 Peter 1:16-21

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God. –2 Peter 1:19-21

How do we discern when we are following our interpretation of scripture rather than its spirit-led intent when we want it to say what we want it to say? I hear people rationalizing ways of being that are in direct opposition to my understanding of scripture. Indeed, I have read scripture that I wondered how Jesus would interpret and how I apply it to my way of being. That requires me to invest more in understanding the workings of the Holy Spirit.

I remember, as a preschooler going with my family to a revival meeting to which our Pentecostal neighbor had invited us. I had never experienced people in church speaking in tongues and throwing themselves on the floor. I spent most of the service under the pew hiding behind my parent’s legs; they let me stay there. We did not return for the remainder of the revival. My older brother and sister did not have the same fearful experience I did. Back at home, my mother explained that people have a lot of different ways of worshipping God, but I fear that experience tainted my exploration of the Holy Spirit.

As we enter the Lenten season, I plan to delve into a better understanding of the Holy Spirit. I would encourage others to join me. It is challenging. Just now, I decided to quote one of my favorite choruses. When I Googled it to copy it here, I got the version printed below, which is not the same as the one I learned as a child. The fifth line l learned is worded Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. On Google, the first entry was a ten-verse hymn.

Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me,
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me.
Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
Spirit of the Living God,
Fall afresh on me. *

Perhaps what I need to develop is faith and trust in God, who knows me completely and will communicate with me as the person I am.

Prayer: Lord, Spirit of the living God, Fall Afresh on me. Amen.

*The chorus Spirit of the Living God by Daniel Iverson. See at https://hymnary.org/text/spirit_of_the_living_god_fall_iverson#Author__st__1_

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.