Scripture ~ “When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.” Acts 2:1-4 The Message
Spiritual Focus ~ “You belong among the wildflowers.” Tom Petty, U.S. American musician
Breath Prayer ~ Inhale and exhale, I belong
Devotion ~ “No Mow May” was an initiative in many local neighborhoods this year. People in the mid and northwest, anxious for a spring that never really came, were asked to postpone the spring ritual of mowing and fertilizing their lawns to give pollinators a head start. Giving the pollinators a head start also allowed the dandelions to flourish. While the bright yellow flowers may be undesirable for some, they provide others with the opportunity to make a wish and blow the spent seeds into the air. The dandelion hasn’t always been the dreaded weed it is today. Historically, it was considered a beautiful wildflower, like lupines and lavender. The natural and prolific beauty of wildflowers gives us pause to imagine the potential of randomly scattered seeds. Where might there be space in our soul gardens for random beauty and belonging?
Pentecost is often considered to be the story of the birth of the Christian church. The power of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Breath, depicted like a gale force wind, spreads the seeds of God’s good deeds to all people. Our scripture describes the Holy Spirit’s dramatic arrival causing people to speak in different languages. However, even amongst the chaos, there was a sense of communication, community, and belonging to each other. What they witnessed was the beautiful unfolding and creative movement of God’s spirit in a diverse and organic community.
When it comes to soul gardening, a consistent yoga and meditation practice helps to cultivate discernment and balance in our lives. We discern what is a weed to be discarded and what is natural beauty to be encouraged. In the breath of our bodies and our union with the Holy Breath, we find balance between the security of order and the wild, chaotic, new thing the Holy Spirit ignites. Despite momentary feelings of being scattered or overwhelmed, we can trust God’s presence and know that we belong.
