Season of the Spirit

I confess that winter really is my least favourite season. Although there are some aspects of it that I like. For example, the English countryside on a cold frosty morning can be amazing and inspiring. Watching ducks and other waterfowl waddling around and quacking at each other, pecking at ice can be fun and invigorating. I hate forever,well it seems like forever, going to and from work in the dark. December can be a weird mixture of fun and a certain angst or sadness remembering people you can't be with. January launches us into the unknown New Year. We break through into a brand new year like ducks pecking at the ice.

What this Watchman is noticing is that 2015 has a different spiritual atmosphere to it. It's true already that some people are going through a very difficult time. But in addition to that is an awareness that spiritually speaking this year is different. Yes! I dare to promise you, in the Lord's name it will be different.

God wants to gather us in. We need to be aware of that. To make it more personal God wants to gather you in! He is calling out to you across the ages. Calling to you through the person of Jesus Christ. The itinerant healer, who lived and died for you. Who rose from death and was seen by five hundred of his disciples.

Lean into Jesus this year. As the Psalm says "lean not on your own understanding," lean instead into God. Let him speak to you about the things of the Spirit. The things of God. Turn to him and face up to him. Invite him into your life. Admit your emptiness and ask for an incoming of the Holy Spirit to bless and refresh your life.

All this seems somehow impossible to you. But God is the God of the possible, who formed you in your womb and brought you to life. I am inviting you to experience again the true life of the Spirit. Just as you knew it before the world pressed in on you with it's darkness and doubts. Believe in your inner most being that this life can be different. I invite you to say "Maranatha" with me. This ancient word is spiritual shorthand inviting the presence of Jesus and means "come Lord Jesus" into our lives.

Maranatha, we ask you Jesus arrive in our lives. Speak to us as priest, prophet and king. Bring with you healing and reconciliation between people. Come and speak to our spirits about the mystery of divine love. How you want that love to take over our hearts and live in us. The time for bitterness has gone. The time for forgiveness has arrived. To be forgiven and in turn to forgive others. Understand this and take it to heart. This is a different season of the Spirit. May Jesus be present in your life. May you find wholeness.

For reflection:

• The words of St Margaret of Scotland "Take for your motto: love has conquered me, it alone shall possess my heart"
• "What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like." St Augustine of Hippo