Do you think the Holy Spirit is an extrovert? Do you think he gets lonely? Do you think these are strange
things to be asking? Do you ever think about stuff like this?
These are some of my ponderings since my recent reunion with a small group of fellow students from
my Spiritual Direction training. We hadn’t seen each other since the end of our studies four years ago.
The course was 10 weekends spread over 2 years and in that time, we became very close, so it wasn’t a
surprise that there would be excitement at seeing each other again, but there was something more.
Something I’ve sensed many times over the years without being able to put my finger on it. There was
high emotion, laughter, some squealing, lots and lots of hugging, and some hugging re-dos. It was like a
drinking in of the presence of the other, of trying to fully absorb this uncommon, too-long-waited-for
opportunity. Many stories were told to get caught up on 48 months of absence from one another – the
trips, the weddings, the baby, the new grandbabies, the near-drowning, the sorrowful departures, that
‘thing’ which interrupted our lives for far too long.
Here’'’ps my initial (draft form) conclusion: You know how Paul expresses it in Ephesians 4:30 TPT – “The
Holy Spirit of God has sealed you in Jesus Christ until you experience your full salvation. So never grieve
the Spirit of God or take for granted his holy influence in your life.” OK. We’ve been sealed. The Holy
Spirit in us is the sealing compound, the glue, if you like, binding us to Jesus. He is as perfectly
committed to his role as Jesus was to his. In the family of Jesus there are many kids and many mansions.
There’s a lot of love swirling around. So, I think, yes, the Holy Spirit is an extrovert who absolutely
adores being around ‘the kids.’ He comes alive when everybody comes home (or comes to a reunion).
Not only that, but I’m convinced he gets lonely when gatherings are scarce or rare. So, when a reunion,
or Sunday worship service happens, he is ecstatic, flitting from heart to heart, weaving his fresh batch of
love from person to person. His need to experience/be experienced is met big time when his kids get
together. It dispels his loneliness and provides him the perfect occasion to fill his kids with his fullness as
he dances with glee in circles around them.
I think the Holy Spirit guided the quill in the hand of the writer of the letter to the Hebrews: “This is not
the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we
should come together more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as we anticipate
that day dawning.” 10:25, TPT. Can’t you feel it happening? There were difficulties facing this band of
followers of Jesus and it felt safer to stay away from the gatherings they’d been having before. But the
Holy Spirit was feeling cut off, deprived of his love oxygen. Don’t you feel that that is the ‘something
else’ when believers get together – the releasing of the presence of the Holy Spirit? What connectivity!
After all, we are not of this world. We are no longer nourished by the world. He alone is our soul’s
nourishment. Can’t wait to see you all! Thoughts? PD
