- Actually go looking for trouble, for troubled people, as Jesus did;
- Pray to become aware, to be disturbed, lest they fail to hear and respond to the cries of the needy and the structures of sin;
- Are united though diverse, so that the world may believe (Jn 17:21);
- Are convinced that they can help change the world -- or that they will be found guilty if they fail to do so;
- Live exciting and worthwhile lives" (27).
Reflection upon these marks of genuine Third Article belief (as confessional Christians declare in the Third Article of the Creed, "I believe in the the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life . . ."), should cause a substantial pause for any one seeking to live a life examined under the Word of God.
Gittins continues, "Traditionally, we have prayed to the Holy Spirit to come and "renew the face of the earth." How on earth can that happen without some disturbance of what is going on in our own lives? The challenge for us is to allow our lives to be interrupted.
"But that is easier said than done: as surely as our instinct pulls our hand away from a hot stove, so do we react against whatever interferes with our plans or patterned lives. So what do we do? Either we seek to be led by the Spirit of we resist the Spirit.
"But we cannot claim to be Spirit-led if our lives are governed and controlled by personal plans and structures. Some of the most gifted of use are the most rigid, making a virtue of being in control and leaving very little room for divine disturbances" (28-29).
As I sit here beside my mother's hospital bed, watching and waiting with her during her final hours upon this earth, I'm pondering Gittins' words. May I yield myself, my life, my mother, my family, and my calling to your Spirit's guidance and control, Lord Christ. May I this day continue to study and authentically practice, by your enabling grace, the lesson of being ready to be interrupted.
