Pastor Chuck’s Corner: June 2026
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. (Acts 2:2-3 NRSV)
As you read this in early June, spring has already begun to give way to summer. The early morning dew rests on lawns and the sweet smell of freshly mown grass fills the nose. Garden flowers are in full bloom, adding their radiance to our surroundings. The song birds are all in good voice. It is as if all of our senses come back to life with the warming weather.
As we think back to our recent celebration of Pentecost, I’m wondering how much of our senses we are engaging in our every day lives of faith. If you’ll re-read what’s at the top of the page, you can see what the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world did.
The disciples heard this great rush of wind, then they saw something like flames resting on each other’s head. I can only assume that their flesh felt a kind of electricity and even what they ate later took on a rich and fuller taste. They had experienced a great outpouring of God’s Spirit all around them.
Fast-forward to our time. 2000 years have passed since this initial encounter with the Holy Spirit. It seems only natural that our senses have become a little duller to this presence. Our daily concerns and responsibilities might be taking our attention away from the Spirit’s on-going presence.
If, like me, you can admit this has happened to you; I would like to issue a challenge to all of us. God gave us our 5 senses that we might fully engage with our physical surroundings. What if we intentionally try to use these 5 gifts on a regular basis in an attempt to draw nearer to our Creator God?
I think we can. Let’s try in these days of June to take advantage of the additional daylight we have. Get outside with the intention of using your senses to try to connect with God the Holy Spirit. Listen to the sounds of creation and take in the smell of growing things. Let the warmth of the sun on your skin remind you of the warmth of God’s love for you. Look in wonder at the various colors that surround you and savor your next meal as a gift from the Lord.
I’m going to try these things and I hope you will too. Please let me know what you experience as you do.
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Pastor Chuck