“Living Spirit, Holy Fire”
By Ruth Duck
Worship and Song, 3109
*Living Spirit, holy fire,*
*burning bright to light our way,*
*blaze among us and inspire*
*lives that praise you day by day.*
Ruth C. Duck (b. 1947) approaches the theme of the Holy Spirit with a fresh vibrancy that articulates the transformative nature of this person of the Trinity in our lives. She had been doing research at Pilgrim Congregational Church, a congregation working to be multicultural. Duck writes, “the congregation desired to go beyond singing one another’s songs to hearing each person’s story and developing true respect and inclusion in the way they lived together. They were learning to trust the Spirit among them, leading them to new ways to be together”
The primary metaphor Duck uses to express the power and renewal of the Holy Spirit is fire. Light illuminates and guides us down the path the Holy Spirit presents, a familiar metaphor used throughout scripture and songs. We are in constant need of guidance throughout the course of our lives. This directly reflects the purpose Duck had for writing this text. Finding new ways to live together requires forging a new path and constant reliance on the Holy Spirit to reveal the best way forward.
The Holy Spirit spreads its warmth when the community gathers. Duck asks for the Holy Spirit to draw those near who are finding it difficult to love their neighbor. The singer is reminded that fear is a leading emotion that causes us to have “frozen hearts.” Fear of the other, especially those we do not understand, causes us to withdraw. Fear can prevent us from listening to the story each person has to tell. When we are willing to listen—not just hear but truly listen—to each person’s story, we develop a common bond in love that creates a stronger community.
Duck reminds us that even though we are many, we are one in Christ. When we allow the Holy Spirit to open our hearts, we become open to hearing the call placed on our life. As “we embrace the work,” we become active partners with the Holy Spirit’s transformative potential—“making all things new”—a reference to Revelation 21:5 (NRSV).
Grace and Peace,
Peter and Pastor NInabeth
United Methodist Church 99 Parish Drive Wayne, NJ 07470 973-694-3260
