Wednesday, 4 June 2025

On the Road to Pentecost: Descending the Spiral Staircase





 Have you ever descended a spiral staircase or ever been on one? Have you ever thought of its design and function? I imagine, that by now, some of you are wondering “Where is this going?” But don’t walk away just yet, humour me for a moment and hear me out.

Spiral staircases are built around a central post or core. Their design is based upon what is known as a helical arc. The treads on the staircase are attached to and go around this central core and this central core provides the necessary structural support on the inner side of the staircase, while on the outer side, a sense of security is in a handrail. With support and security firmly in place, there is no need for additional support to the structure, however spiral staircases can be quite difficult to navigate as it makes for a steep descent.

When I was a little girl, my best friend at that time had a spiral staircase in her home. To me, at that young age, that staircase was a fascination; I fell in love with it. What fun we used to have running up and down that spiral staircase.

Older now, I don’t know how enjoyable traipsing up and down a spiral staircase would be. Especially the descent, since standing at the top, the bottom of the staircase isn’t visible so, descending would prove challenging. I’d really have to take my time, making sure that my footing was secure on one step before going onto the next step.

Thinking back to those days on that staircase, makes me think of this spiritual journey we’re on, with its many spirals we experience as we navigate each step along the way. And while on one step, we don’t have a good view of the next until we are on it.

A spiral staircase’s inner post reminds me of the Holy Spirit who is present as our inmost central core. Each step on our journey is affixed to Him; He is our structural support.

The helical arc design that the spiral staircase is based on, with its circular and linear motions, can be likened to the path we must take to transformation. Apostle Paul tells us that “as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB).

Beloved, on this spiritual journey, you are being transformed to be more like the Lord, in the way you think, in the way you speak, in what you believe, in your temperament, in the way you love and how you live. This is an ongoing process where Spirit will take you into the deepest parts of your being to uproot and discard all the emotional trauma stored in your subconscious. Anything that does not benefit you, Spirit will remove to create room for His transforming fruit.

As you spiral into the depths of yourself, with every descending step, you will recognize your weakness and become acutely aware of your need to be utterly dependent on God for everything, for without Him, you can do nothing.

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.” – John 15:5 (GNT)

You and I, like the treads on a spiral staircase, must remain attached to the central core, otherwise we will be unable to do any worthwhile spiritual work – the fruit we produce will be rotten and useless.

“Every tree is known by the fruit it bears” – Luke 6:44a (GNT)

Descending the spiral staircase into the depths of your soul, is not an easy path to navigate but Spirit is inviting you to let go of the outer handrail you’ve become dependent upon for your security and instead focus on the inner central core that is your structural support. When you do, you allow Spirit to be the source of your strength, and the guiding force on every level of your descent.

While you journey on the road to Pentecost, if your desire for transformation is genuine, then descending the spiral staircase is not an option, it is the only way for Spirit to produce in you the qualities found in Christ – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control – the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Amen †

 

 

 

 

 



Shelley Johnson “On the Road to Pentecost: Descending the Spiral Staircase” © 2025 June 3, 2025

 

 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment