Our Soul Calling

“And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.”

Acts 2:4

Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:

• This passage is from “The Holy Spirit Comes” in the Book of Acts. It’s often read during Pentecost, which celebrates the blessing of Holy Spirit upon Jesus’s apostles. This blessing is their call to live and teach Jesus’s way of life.
• The Holy Spirit represents the activity of God with and within us. Because we are God’s Beloved Creations, we are divine, made of God-Stuff—no matter who we are, where we live, what we believe, how we look, what we do, or who we love.
• Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit is always communicating, always seeking to guide us in expressing the fullness of our soul. This fullness is the complete expression of our divinity and our humanity. No one can ever take these from us.  Neither can they fulfill our soul’s calling.
• Our divinity is our God Essence, our true spiritual nature. Our humanity is the part of us which makes mistakes; gets sick; laughs; cries; and feels tired, angry, hungry or happy. Our divinity and our humanity work together, and we don’t want to deny either one.
• Speaking in other languages doesn’t mean that we cannot hear or understand one another. It means that we use our gifts of Holy Spirit—our skills and talents—differently. Furthermore, different voices need not cause dissonance.  They can harmonize to create something distinct and beautiful.
• In his poem, “Self-Knowledge,” in The Prophet (1923), Kahlil Gibran teaches: “Say not, ‘I have the truth,’ but rather, ‘I have found a truth / Say not, ‘I have found the path of the soul.’ /  Say rather, ‘I have met the soul walking upon my path.’”

Contemplation Questions:

As you reflect on your life and circumstances, ask yourself:

• In what ways am I denying my divinity?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies, no matter how small or insignificant.

• in what ways am I denying my humanity?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies, no matter how small or insignificant.

• in what ways am I embracing my divinity?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies, no matter how small or insignificant.

• in what ways am I embracing my humanity?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as applies, no matter how small or insignificant.

• How am I noticing my soul being led and/or desiring to unfold now?
  • List, word map, or illustrate everything you notice.

• When I contemplate all my answers, what is my soul revealing to me?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can.

• What are at least three (3) ways I can share my soul calling in the world now?
  • List, word map, or illustrate as much as you can imagine.

Take all the time you need to work with this devotional.  Remember that Holy Spirit can be subtle, so stay attuned to how you’re being guided.  Notice what opportunities feel enlivening and which feel draining.  Also, be aware of your body sensations, whether you’re energized and enthusiastic about something, or blah and noncommittal.

A key spiritual truth is: As our soul unfolds, we become comfortable releasing the past.  We stop trying to be someone we aren’t.  We also know when a dream has been fulfilled, so we can continue our journey into new experiences.  Especially, we trust Holy Spirit to lead and do its wondrous work in and through us.

© 2022 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.