A Letter from Bishop Chris (June 2023A)
Dear friends,
We recently celebrated the Feast of Pentecost and we’re now in the long liturgical season of Ordinary Time which will last until Advent. Though the season is called ordinary, it’s anything but that because it is the time of the Holy Spirit.
In this season, our focus is on mission and maturity. For either of these things to happen in our lives, we must have the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “You will have power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8) Charles Spurgeon said, “Without the Spirit of God, we can do nothing. We are as ships without the wind, branches without sap, and like coals without fire, we are useless.”
I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say that one of the most important New Testament verses is Ephesians 5:18. The apostle Paul writes, “Do not get drunk on wine which leads to debauchery but be filled with the Spirit.” The Message translation puts it this way, “Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God - huge draughts of him.”
This is not Paul’s invitation to a weird existence. Nor is it a command toward emotional excess. Instead, it’s an admonition to effectiveness in your Christian life and witness.
Paul is making a comparison. He contrasts being drunk on wine with being filled with the Holy Spirit. When a person is drunk, they are under the influence and control of the alcohol and it leads to behaviors that cheapen their life. For example, drunk people will say things that are foolish and damaging to others. They do things that they later regret. They behave in ways that diminish their lives. However, when you are full of the Spirit, you’re under the control and influence of God. And that also affects your behavior.
Spirit-filled people learn to know God’s voice and his will by his word. And that affects how we live. We begin to live for God’s purposes and glory and for the great good of others and not merely for ourselves. Spirit-filled people become worshippers who are grateful to God in all things. And, because of their reverence for Christ, Spirit filled people actively humble themselves and yield their lives to others.
In this Ordinary Time, I believe it’s critically important that we pursue, with our whole heart, to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He is the one Jesus promised would lead us, guide us, teach us, assure us, and give us intimacy with the Lord. Jesus promised, “If you then who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
Will you join me throughout this liturgical season in asking our heavenly Father to fill DOMA with the Holy Spirit? Ask for yourself. Ask for your clergy. Ask for your lay leaders. Ask for your kids. Ask for your church or mission. Ask that God would fill you and use you; that God would grow you in maturity and character; and that God would make you a powerful witness for Christ. And please also, ask God to fill your bishop with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
+Chris