I looked up the word placidness.  I wasn’t sure if it referred to peaceful serenity or simply a state of lethargy.  In truth it can be either.  

When we think about the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, we’re reminded of the peace and quiet he can bring.   All true!   But then in one of my favorite Pentecost hymns, we read “stir me from placidness.”   Aha, cherish the peace, but don’t become so comfortable that we forget to act, to serve. 

Hymn 676 is “Spirit, spirit of gentleness.”   The chorus is as follows:

“Spirit, Spirit of gentleness
blow through the wilderness
calling and free;
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness
wind, wind on the sea.”

Let’s pray that the Spirit will blow through us individually and as a congregation, that he will stir us to respond, to act. And as we do, remember that the Spirit is gentle with us. Let’s be gentle with one another.

Judy

“Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness,”  text and music by James K. Manley b. 1940