God is Spirit and the Spirit is God

Somewhere I saw the words “God is Spirit and the Spirit is God.” The phase set me off on a self-reflective journey. This page is a personal journey. It may not convince anyone else, but it is part of my journey and part of me.

When we explore the idea that God is a non-material Being (a non-physical Person), we're beginning a trek into a vast landscape full of wonder and mystery. Imagine walking through a garden where every step we take unveils more beauty and insight into life.

The phrase "God is Spirit" may sound abstract or elusive at first, but it's an invitation to engage with a powerful reality that can transform how we live and perceive the world. 

Let's start by setting the stage: what does it mean to say “God is Spirit?” In simplest terms, to speak of God as Spirit is to recognize there is a world, a sphere, that goes beyond the physical. It claims that there is a God and a spiritual realm to this world. It also claims that God is not confined by physical boundaries or human limitations.

Unlike everything else we know that has a physical form, God transcends time and space, dwelling in a dimension different from the five senses of human understanding. This fundamental concept might initially feel intangible, and it is. But it's crucial because it frees us to experience God in ways beyond our human intellect—always present, yet never seen.

You might be wondering, "Okay, so if God is Spirit, what does that mean for me?" This is where the Holy Spirit comes in.

The Holy Spirit is a distinct Person within the triune God, traditionally known as the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—a unity of three co-equal Beings. Far from existing as merely an abstract force, the Holy Spirit is personal and active, engaging us in our daily experiences and offering guidance, comfort, and power to live through the storms of life.

This farmer-boy is my choice icon of God the Spirit because He talks, works, and points to Jesus. Other symbols (wind, fire) of the Spirit are inanimate, but we can relate to this Happy Guy!

Picture your life as a complex puzzle, and the Holy Spirit as a guiding hand helping to fit each piece into its place. For many who are first encountering this idea, the realization that the Spirit is not only God but also desires to interact with us personally is both mind-boggling and reassuring. We begin to think about life from a different angle, filled with expectation.

I want you to ask yourself, "Is it possible for me to INTERACT with the Holy Spirit?"

I grew up as a Lutheran. Glad I did, but never in a million years did I ever think to say, “Hello, Holy Spirit!”

I knew He (the Spirit) was around somewhere, but where? I knew not. Never once did I think of talking with the Holy Spirit. Nor did I imagine the Spirit of God could talk to me.

That all changed in San Antonio, Texas in December 1959. I was part of a Lutheran youth group that visited the Alamo. God surprised me by calling me to become a pastor at that time.

An inner voice repeated, “Be a pastor!” “Be a pastor!” “Be a pastor!” “Be a pastor!” The voice was not audible, but it could have been. I knew Who was talking with me. However, there was one great problem—I did not want to be a pastor. I had my heart set on joining the Foreign Service and becoming a US ambassador!

Though the voice was strong and clear, I walked away. Within half an hour, I was able to dismiss the Voice and the calling. To my shame!

Does the Spirit of God Talk to People Today?

The practical answer is an enthusiastic yes!

The Holy Spirit speaks in various ways—the primary way that the Spirit speaks and guides is through the Bible, the word of God. (And to hear the voice of God via the Bible, we have to read it! Don’t expect to hear God’s voice if you don’t read the Bible.)

God also speaks through conscience, through the quiet whisper of intuition, through the words of people around us (often our spouse!), or even the circumstances of life.

The key is to learn how to listen. It's akin to training our ear to pick out a single musical instrument amidst an entire symphony.

I recently attended a Muscatine Symphony Orchestra concert. I tried to identify the harp sounds. It was difficult. I couldn’t do it most of the time. Takes practice, I concluded.

God is Spirit--He "talks"--To 'hear" His voice is like identifying one instrument from an entire orchestra.

But here’s hope. . .

As our awareness that God is Spirit grows, so does our ability to discern and respond to the Spirit's voice.

In my case, in 1959, I knew without a shadow of doubt that God the Spirit was calling me to be a Pastor. Sorry to say, I was pig-headed and rebellious. I just didn’t want to do it.

Delving deeper, once we start recognizing the “voice” of the Spirit, we may find He prompts us to act with kindness or courage in situations where we might not have done so otherwise. (For me this process took about 3 years! For someone else, it may go quicker.) The Holy Spirit inspires and empowers us to live in ways that mirror the obedience exemplified by Jesus Christ.

In my case, three years later, God called me again in Everet, Washington. I was praying with a Lutheran pastor named Johnny Ringo. God used the same voice, the same cadence, the same words, “Be a pastor!” “Be a pastor!” “Be a pastor!”

By then I was ready. . .

Historically, some of the most profound moments of awe and reverence recorded in the Bible have involved the Holy Spirit. These stories, while ancient, remain impactful, demonstrating the Spirit's ability to transform lives by imbuing people with humility, with spiritual gifts, wisdom, and understanding. Such empowerment isn't confined to biblical times but is available to us here and now, spurring us on to living a life that God wants for us.

For those who have felt disconnected or skeptical (like me at that time), the idea that the Spirit could speak to us personally might seem intimidating or far-fetched. But there's a comfort in understanding that the Holy Spirit is characterized by unconditional love and patience. He sure is with me!

The Spirit doesn't demand perfection but rather invites us into a relationship—a partnership or connection with Him. So yes—I know that God is Spirit and the Spirit is God.

The Holy Spirit doesn't just dwell in high spiritual realms but steps into the trenches with us, giving us what we need. He knows what’s best for us. I've been a pastor now for about 50 years. I have enjoyed being a pastor (most of the time!) and am so thankful He called me. 

Furthermore, the Spirit's communication doesn't require us to abandon reason or intellect. Rather, the Holy Spirit generally interacts harmoniously with our mind, bringing clarity and focus to long-standing questions and uncertainties.

One might wonder how to initiate this encounter with the Holy Spirit, especially if you feel disconnected from religious teachings. It begins with an open heart and a willingness to seek.

God is Spirit--How He Gave Me Tongues

Let me tell you how I got baptized in the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues. It wasn't pretty. And I hesitate to call it a "baptism" because baptism means 'immersion" or "to overwhelm" as with water. Believe me, I was "underwhelmed" more than "overwhelmed.”

The year was 1963. Some fellow students at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Seattle invited me to a back room at the house where we stayed. “Come on back,” they said. “They’re speaking in tongues. . .and it doesn’t even take faith!”

I was curious--so I went.

Mark E, the son of a Lutheran pastor started praying for me. I wanted to speak in tongues (like in the Bible). After a while, I said,” ma!” That was my only syllable. Later on, I repeated the syllable and said it twice, “ma-ma.”

Talk about baby talk! That was all I said. I felt no excitement, no emotion, nothing. You can probably understand why I was disappointed. I had heard that the fullness of the Spirit and speaking in tongues was so wonderful, so joy-filled and exciting. I felt exactly nothing—it was a total downer for me.

For some reason, I don’t know why, I would say “ma-ma” every now and then to myself when no one was around to hear. And strangely enough, my one syllable gradually grew to two or sometimes three or more.

I didn’t pay much attention. Time passed. At night before lights out, my roommate Mervin and I had a habit of praying together. One night I got a picture in my mind’s eye when we prayed together.

Mervin, I’m getting a picture of a man dragging a ball and chain. “You did?” Mervin exclaimed in excitement and wonder. “Yes, I did,” I admitted.

“That’s me!” my roommate explained. “I have a secret sin that I’ve never told anyone about. “You do?” I was as surprised as Mervin. “Yes, it’s like I’m dragging around a heavy ball and chain.”

I didn’t really know what to make of all this, but the thought crossed my mind that maybe there was something about this speaking in tongues after all.

There’s more, much more . . . but that’s how it all began. . .

I believe that if anyone wants to experience the “fullness” of the Holy Spirit, he needs to get aggressive in his pursuit. Jesus taught this in Luke 11:5-13. He told the story of the man who had no bread to provide for a drop-in stranger who came for the night. In the story, Jesus told the would-be host to get aggressive, refuse to take “No” for an answer, and become shameless in his quest for the bread.

Jesus instructed, Ask--and keep asking, Seek---and keep seeking, Knock—and keep knocking, until God the Spirit has come upon you!

Reaching out to God with sincerity is akin to opening a door. The Holy Spirit, eager to connect, steps through that entryway, starting as the quietest of companions and growing into a trusted guide.

As one begins to build this personal relationship with the Holy Spirit, we may find our perspective shifting. This empowering force doesn't just support, but enriches everyday life, weaving a tapestry of joy and meaning that elevates even the most mundane tasks. 

I remember reading the book by a monk of yesteryear named Brother Lawrence. This man was consigned to the kitchen in a monastery. He turned washing pots, pans and other mundane tasks into joyful events.
Through this fellowship with God the Holy Spirit, life took on a renewed vibrancy for him. He became a grateful man.

The realization that God is Spirit—and thus, continually present—shifts the way we are able to view challenges and trials. Empowered by the Spirit, obstacles no longer appear insurmountable, but rather, as opportunities for growth and learning.

As our understanding blossoms, we will most likely come to view this relationship not merely as a personal source of strength but also as a power to help someone else. The love and encouragement we receive from the Holy Spirit may compel us to reach out to others, fostering a cycle of inspiration and wonder that echoes through community and beyond.

Ultimately, the journey to acknowledge that God is Spirit and recognizing the Holy Spirit as God is one of profound transformation. It moves beyond mere intellectual agreement to heart-felt encounters, illuminating life with the joy of discovery and the anticipation of continual growth. This relationship is both accessible and enduring.

Thank you for going through this journey of experiencing “God is Spirit” with me.

My hope is that this exploration stirs a curiosity within you, prompting you to delve deeper into a vibrant relationship with God as Spirit.

Invite the Holy Spirit into your life, staying alert and attentive to His whispers. Let this connection unfold organically, knowing that with each step, you walk towards a more enriched understanding of yourself and His presence that surrounds us all.

God is Spirit. And He's all around us.