adapted by B. B. McKinney
Tune: TRUETT
This Pentecost text calls on the Spirit of Christ to breathe its power into our hearts, illuminating our darknesses, harnessing our stubbornness, cleansing the dirtiness, and totally taking up residence.
This hymnline is almost a juxtaposition of two extremes. Somehow we can hardly imagine a zealot being also loving. It is one of the paradoxes of the faith: can one boldly stand for the faith and be totally compassionate at the same time?
Zeal has become associated with fanaticism. We equate zealots with abortion-clinic protestors, street-corner preachers who shout narrowness at the top of their lungs, or those who garner congregations to embarrass the faithful by blockading funerals of American soldiers. That is not zeal; that is radical extremism.
You and I are called to be fervent, consistent followers of the Lamb. Our zeal (deep commitment) must be energized by a kindhearted, unbridled love for our fellow travelers on this journey. Conversely, our compassion must draw its animation from our godly determination. Each sets fire to the other. We’re back to one of those cyclical paths which are so common in good theology.
As we sing this hymnline, we’re asking Christ to blow on the dwindling kindling… the twigs of love and zeal which have about lost their fire. Can you hear the answering wisps of God-breath? Can you feel the warming of God-fire? Will you be a compassionate zealot? Will I?
Blow, Spirit, blow.
Julie Huggins Littleton performing an arrangement of this hymn
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