Ed asked us to pick out songs last night for our small group’s time of singing. Jenna made a great list, including one of her favorite songs, “Holy Spirit Rain Down.” [Listen here by Broken—you will be moved.]
So we sang.
Holy Spirit rain down rain down
Oh comforter and friend how we need Your touch again
Holy Spirit rain down rain down
Let Your power fall let Your voice be heard
Come and change our hearts as we stand on Your word
Holy Spirit rain down
And I thought, “But how?”
How is the Spirit a comforter and friend—to the man in our group in back pain? To the single mom packing up to move again? To any of us who with any number of problems?
So I asked.
It’s part of the beauty of a small group. Even when you know what the right answer is supposed to be, you can still ask for a more thorough explanation.
And you get answers.
One at a time, each from their own perspective. John read a few verses from Radical, quoting Jesus in Mark and Luke—when we ask for help, we get the Spirit himself. Kim told how people in the flesh can show up to help someone in pain. Ed told how the pain from losing his mother helped him empathize with a young man who was fresh in his own similar pain.
My question was answered: one way the Spirit’s presence helps is He shows up through His people. He uses our hands and mouths and hearts to minister to others in their pain.
No eye has seen no ear has heard
No mind can know what God has in store
So open up heaven open it wide
Over Your church and over our lives
Holy Spirit rain down rain down
The Spirit rains down. In many ways. In many places.
Including in my small group.
Holy Spirit, rain down.
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