Holy Spirit
A devotional pondering the Holy Spirit and the events of Pentecost….
SCRIPTURE:
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
—Acts 2:1-12—
THOUGHT:
Does the Holy Spirit talk to you? Does God speak to you? Does Jesus tell you what you should do or not do? I have never experienced that phenomenon or spiritual gift or Godly experience. I used to feel left out compared to someone with that amazing gift. I am not even sure if it is a gift that the person possesses as a part of their spiritual character or if it is a gift that God gives to that person, like it or not. When someone tells me “God told me…” or “Jesus (audibly) answered my prayer”, I must admit feelings of envy. Why do they have that gift and not me? Am I not listening? Am I gifted with something else that they don’t have? Does God not hear me?
As Pentecost is upon us, these questions tease me and the envious yearnings are born anew. So…being a curious person and a lifelong learner, I am trying to come to grips with the gift I apparently don’t possess. Yet, do I (and others) have gifts of communication other than God speaking clearly and concisely and directly to us?
I bring myself back to the disciples in the upper room. Now, please don’t accuse me of blasphemy, but in my quest to comprehend the situation and to console myself, I newly discover an aspect of Pentecost that seems to validate my theory that communication is varied and individualistic. Some scholars believe that the disciples, after the spiritual awakening of Pentecost, could then speak in several different languages and therefore were able to communicate with people from many areas and cultures. Yet, others, and it is to their idea that I subscribe, that the disciples spoke in their own language but that “others” were able to understand them. Kind of like an automatic translator, even better than Google.
So, my premise is…. if the second theory is valid, then I wonder if God gives us DIFFERENT ways to either receive information from Him and/or give His information to others. We are familiar with different learning styles. Some are auditory learners, other kinetic learners, others learn best from the written word, some through experience and association, and many more ways. Therefore, some persons DO hear God talking to them. Yet, some persons may hear God speaking to them through their friends. Some may hear God’s “voice” in music. Some may receive communication through reading. Some may have an intuitive “feeling” of Gods’ presence and/or voice. Some persons feel that journaling allows them to put down on paper what they believe God is needing them to know. However you learn does not seem to be a hindrance to God. The Creator of the universe, the Alpha and Omega, the Father of All “can” and DOES communicate to us, as individuals, in our way and with our personal gifts and preferences. So, maybe you’re a stay at home kind of person who enjoys listening to music and relaxing. Music is full of inspiration and creativity and certainly is a conduit to ethereal thoughts about and for God. When someone sings a special hymn, does that not touch people’s souls? In fact, who doesn’t have a “favorite” song that “speaks” to them? Maybe you are gregarious and proactive and thrive on large crowds and congregations, learning from God through others’ experiences and advice? Maybe you are an avid reader and long to get away from others and read to your hearts’ content, with the words practically jumping off the page and into your soul? Maybe there is some “being” behind the words besides the author? Is that not what they mean by “spiritually inspired” words? Maybe you like to teach and find inspiration from the students by hearing their reactions and excitement? Their curiosity drives you to learn more and more in order to disperse more information? Sunday school? Bible study? Maybe you’re an artistic sort? Painting? Sculpture? I cannot imagine how much a particular art form can “speak” to others of the glory of God! The painting that depicts God touching Adam…..? WOW!
I suspect that God did send the Holy Spirit to live in the hearts and minds and souls of the original disciples. Now whether or not they could speak in different languages or the people they were addressing could understand them in their own language, I really don’t know. What I do believe though is that the FIRE that was seen upon their heads is the same flame that lives inside all of us as believers. When we utilize our learning styles and our gifts to glorify God, then we are speaking with God, for God, and about God to whomever we touch. That fire is His Presence as a Christian. It is the warmth that we choose to exude to others and for others. It is the light of our Savior Jesus Christ, helping us and others to see their way. It is the essence of communication from God.
I still feel jealous of others and their ability to hear God. I am a shallow person and struggle with coveting what others have in their repertoire. Yet, I find some comfort in knowing that all of us have a way of communicating from and with God. We just don’t always know what form it takes or how it manifests itself. Glory in any form is still Glory. Glory to God!
PRAYER:
Holy Spirit, come. Holy Spirit, rest in me. Holy Spirit, communicate with me, however that is or becomes. Hear me Holy Spirit. Teach me Holy Spirit. Sing with me Holy Spirit. To God be the Glory!
AMEN.
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