Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak.     Acts 2:1-4 (WEB)
We have passed the celebration of Pentecost in the Church year. For most of us, it passed in one day with a sermon that recalled it as the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that He would send ‘One’. The initial early disciples had been waiting a long time for the Messiah. Maybe that is why they were gathered together and waiting. Maybe they were too scared and clueless to do anything else but wait for God’s “What next?†Jesus said “Wait†– so they did.
“Waiting for the Spirit is not convenient, and patience runs contrary to human nature. We would rather run our lives and ministries ourselves, using our good ideas and clever church-growth stategies. We’d rather do things on our schedule. Thankfully the early disciples resisted that temptation. They waited for the suddenly – and the result was the most explosive effective and fruitful ministry strategy the church has ever know.†– J. Lee Grady, contributing editor, Charisma magazine (Don’t Downplay the Power of Pentecost)
Mr. Grady is right. Since my commitment to Jesus ‘wait’ has become my new 4-letter-word. I hate to wait. I haven’t made a baked potato in any oven but a microwave since I bought my first microwave oven 25 years ago!
Waiting for the Holy Spirit is not a task to which most of us respond obediently. Getting ready to change jobs or move? Do I make lists, go online to research housing, or do I ask the Holy Spirit’s advice first? Am I willing to wait until He speaks? Have I built a relationship with the Holy Spirit so I know when it is His voice?
I know that I have frequently used the example and asked the question of when was the last time we, interrupted our order of worship to pray for someone? We say we do not want to embarrass someone or cause the fellowship to run late – or whatever excuse but how many people walk in and out week after week as alone and wounded as they did the last week or the last month? When will we embrace the Holy Spirit, the Suddenly, and wait until He makes His Presence known and then we obediently respond in His power.
May Yahweh answer you in the day of trouble.
May the name of the God of Jacob set you up on high,
send you help from the sanctuary, grant you support from Zion,
remember all your offerings, and accept your burnt sacrifice.
Selah.
May He grant you your heart’s desire, and fulfill all your counsel.
We will triumph in your salvation.
In the name of our God, we will set up our banners.
May Yahweh grant all your requests. Psalm 20:1-5 (WEB)
