The Power of the Spirit

I didn’t journal yesterday since I woke up late and needed to hurry to get ready for work. I don’t even remember hearing my alarm but I must have turned it off because it was set correctly. Luckily a voice in my head said, “You need to look at your clock.” It was 5:25 am. I generally get up week days at 5 am so it was not too late to eat breakfast and dress but not enough time to write before leaving for work. I’m glad something or someone told me to wake up or I would have greatly overslept. What is it that does this? I’m sure everyone experiences these gentle reminders or ideas that suddenly pop in your head from time to time. They are not easily explained and have a supernatural quality when it is a thought totally foreign to your normal thought processes. Is this the work of the Holy Spirit?

Soon my women’s Bible study group will be starting a new series by Beth Moore entitled “Breath.” It is about the Holy Spirit’s influence on the Christian life. I read a little of the first week’s lesson. The Spirit is spoken of synonymously with Power in many references in the Bible. Do we recognize this coupling of Spirit and Power in the 21st century? I think not. We have virtually ignored the power of the Holy Spirit in most denominations of the church except charismatic congregations like the Pentecostals. But many of them tend to focus primarily on speaking in tongues which is a small part of the whole work of the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, ten days after Jesus ascended into heaven following the resurrection, the Spirit descended on the early church in a mighty way. Yes, the disciples and others with them in the Upper Room, spoke in other languages so everyone could understand their message. But their lives were also infused with knowledge beyond their education and the power to perform miracles. It was this dramatic change brought on by the Spirit that drew people to join the early church. On the day of Pentecost alone, they added 3000 to their number. What they witnessed convinced them of the truth of what was being said.

Why in the church today do we not see the Spirit moving in this way? I believe we don’t see it because we don’t look. The Spirit is at work behind the scenes but we fail to recognize it. We pass off unusual circumstances as coincidence. If we can’t scientifically explain something we tend to ignore its significance. The Spirit cannot be explained in human terms. It’s beyond our comprehension. But this doesn’ mean that it doesn’t exist.

When I have been open-minded and open-hearted, I have seen the Spirit act. It’s through these experiences that I am convinced of God’s existence. Not by what anyone has told me but by what I have seen myself. When God called me to help Shadrach many years ago, this was Spirit lead. I have no doubt of this. A voice spoke in my head saying, “This is what I want you to do.” The weight of unseen hands were on my shoulders. It was as real as if someone truly was standing behind me, hands resting on my shoulders and whispering in my ear. Yet no physical being was there. The outcome of listening to this voice has been phenomenal and the story is still unfolding. What Shadrach’s future holds, I don’t know but God does. I have a deep sense that it is something very important but also dangerous. My support of Shadrach was not just a temporary assignment to help him get his education. It is a lifetime commitment. I anticipate the next chapter with excitement.

Given this experience, I return to my original question of why we don’t see the Spirit move in this way on a regular basis. I know in my life I get too busy with other responsibilities and worries to really pay attention. I don’t pray consistently for God to open my eyes and ears to his presence. I ignore his promptings and become somewhat deaf to his voice. Prior to my Spirit experience involving Shadrach, I prayed, “Lord, show me what you want me to do.” My heart was fully open to his answer. I believe if I could remain in this frame of mind, I would see the Spirit move more powerfully. Yet I don’t seem to be able to do this. To perceive the Spirit, I need daily help from the Spirit.

As we start this new study, “Breath”, I pray that God will breathe his Spirit on me and all the women in my group. We have seen glimpses of God’s power through the doors he has opened for us in the Sheridan community. But like Moses, we want to see him face to face and experience his glory.

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the power of your love.”

Amen

On this Good Friday, I’m celebrating Holy Week on the way toward Easter. But I’m also longing for spring break. This is my last work day before vacation. Yah! I’ve only taken off a day here and there since I travelled to visit Garrett at Fort Rucker last fall. I’m ready for a full week away from work. Tim needs a break even more. He has not been off work for a whole week of vacation since last summer. It’s good to have a chunk of time off, not bits and pieces, to decompress. It used to take me 3 full days away from work to relax. It’s better for me now since I’m not so pressured as in the past. I am generally able to let things go in just a day. I also find that it is better for me to go away rather than vacation at home. Sometimes home projects feel like work and it’s difficult to overlook them and relax when you see them before you.

To get away and create each day anew without any time pressure is wonderful. We all need this on a regular basis to free our souls. It’s like taking off the heavy coat of winter to be released from the heaviness of responsibility for a little while. Not that we are totally irresponsible for ourselves and others in our care. But we are free to just “be.” I love to wake up and say, “What am I going to do today?” without someone else already having a schedule made for me. I can try new things even just for a few days. I can sit and read a book if I want or indulge in a long conversation. I can lay in bed with my best friend as long as we want (unless of course, we have kids with us on vacation).

Relax…breathe…take in creation. Much of my ideal vacation is spent outdoors in fresh air. After this long winter, this will be a God-send to be in the mountains again. West Virginia is “almost heaven,” as John Denver sang so long ago. I agree. It is breathtakingly beautiful. But it’s also devastatingly poor in many areas. The place we go to ride our dirt bikes is in coal country and there is a high rate of unemployment. But while we vacation and have fun, we will spend money on food, fuel, housing, and crafts. We each pay a fee to ride on the Hatfield-McCoy trails. We help the local economy and in turn, this allows the local people to have a better existence. In this way, I share my wealth by spending it. It’s another way of giving-buying from local businesses, not the big chain stores. If we all were intentional in doing this, there would be less need for welfare and unemployment. The only genuine way that poverty is overcome is when we help others help themselves.

This doesn’t just apply to when we travel, but should be the way we spend at home. I admit that since I work in the city, I often shop in the city. But Tim and I have been intentionally trying to spend more in our local area of Sheridan. We buy some of our groceries at the IGA in town and stop by the hardware store for some of our project supplies. We have great restaurants in town that we frequent. We often see people we know from our church or their kids working in these establishments. We help Sheridan have a better economy and the people have a better life by spending locally.

Well, I must stop dreaming and get ready for the day. Today will be a good day at work but tomorrow promises to offer much-needed relaxation and a little bit of heaven. I’m ready!