It probably hasn’t escape many people’s attention that the G7, a meeting of the leaders of 7 of the world’s wealthiest economies are meeting to discuss world events  at a summit in Cornwall this weekend. It’s not just 7 leaders meeting though, it involves thousands of people and man hours, in the case of the US president 2 747s  at least one or two personal presidential helicopters and armour plated vehicles. not to mention security and secret service men and military protection.  Such is the way of life today that demands and necessitates all of this.
What a huge difference when our lord travelled and spent time with his closest friends. They simply changed the world by what they said and did through the miracles and healings that were performed, hope and new life were given.
When Jesus was crucified and ascended to his father after his resurrection he left the responsibility for the birth of Christianity and the spreading of the good news to the wider world to his closest followers who went out and fearlessly and eagerly spread this message to the wider world.  None of this would have been possible without the gift of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost when he bestowed his presence on his followers and gave them extraordinary power and ability beyond all human understanding, to proclaim his message. Such a simple but profound gift that literally changed and continues to bring hope to people’s lives and situations.
This reminds us that without God’s presence through his Holy Spirit we as believers can do very little.  God has entrusted us with the spread of his Gospel in our personal and Church life which can only be achieved and fulfilled by the living presence of the Holy Spirit within us.

Act 1v 8
‘But you will receive power when the spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and to the end of the earth.’

Whilst we pray for the success of the G7 summit and lasting change, let us remind ourselves that without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives we as believers will remain powerless and ineffective.