God does not call the equipped, God equips the called

Most weeks in this group of parishes I find myself alongside people who have lost a loved one, a member of their family or a close friend who has sadly passed away. These are profound moments are one of the greatest privileges in my role. Common questions that I get asked include “how am I going to cope?” and “what am I going to do without them?”.

You may have also asked these questions in life. Or perhaps experienced feeling lost, unsure of how to move forwards, fearful perhaps, worried about the future

without the companion that you’ve enjoyed for years by your side. These sensations of feeling lost, fearful and alone are sometimes shared nationally like after the Queen died, or locally following the sad loss of a much-loved member of your community.

God knows that as human beings we can feel lost, fearful and alone when we lose someone to death, or even when saying goodbye for a while. Which is why Jesus spent time with his disciples preparing them for his imminent departure.

In the reading from John (John 14. 23-29) we are listening in to the words of Jesus, sat with his disciples over dinner, shortly before going to Gethsemane where he was arrested. The compassion of God is being shown as Jesus seeks to prepare the disciples not only for his coming crucifixion but also for his subsequent ascension.

The compassionate words of preparation did not make sense to the disciples at the time. But the story of the early church, that we read in Acts, reveals to us that not only did the disciples come to understand Jesus’ words of preparation, they also experienced his ongoing presence through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus tells his followers that he and the Father will make their home within those who love him. He foretells the moment when the Holy Spirit will be with them, within them, as an advocate guiding them, teaching them, reminding them.

This gift from God, of the compassionate presence of God, will stop them feeling lost, fearful and alone. Instead, Jesus tells them, the Holy Spirit of God will guide them, liberate them from fear and bring new life to all who believe.

This is not a gift which is for them alone. This community of believers in which God makes his home is the way that God’s enduring presence will be shared with whoever they meet. Jesus is preparing his disciples not only for his departure but also for their mission to the world.

It is this very mission to the world that we see unfolding in the reading from Acts (Acts 16. 9-15). I have posted recently that the book we call the Acts of the Apostles would be better titled the Acts of the Holy Spirit (rapidly pursued by the Apostles).

Today we hear of Paul who receives a vision of a Macedonian man pleading for him to visit. I think it is striking that we are told how Paul immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia. It seems that when you hear the voice of God, you are compelled into action immediately.

And as the story unfolds, we see Paul doing exactly what Jesus said that the Holy Spirit within would lead him to. Paul was not lost, fearful and alone, but was led to the right place and the right people. As he spoke with confidence, he was listened to, and the same Spirit, opened Lydia’s heart to believe. The Holy Spirit of God guided Paul, liberated him from fear and gave Lydia new life.

So, if that was then, then what of now, wherever you find yourself currently? That same Holy Spirit, that raised Jesus from the dead and guided the first followers, is also available to us, teaching us everything and reminding us of all that Jesus said. We can all be a part of the community of believers in which God has made home, so that God’s enduring presence can be shared wherever we are.

God does not call the equipped, God equips the called. If we love God and respond to the call upon us, in this place at this time, then the Holy Spirit will liberate us from fear guide, us to the right people and places, and we will see new life flourishing all around us.