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
